GLASSCOCK, IVAN NOEL

Ivan Glasscock, 87, passed away peacefully March 29th at his home in Denton. He was an extraordinary person, serving both his country as a Lt. Colonel and decorated pilot in the US Air Force, and his students as principal of Denton High School from 1976 to 1984.

Born in Holiday, Missouri on April 13th, 1920, Ivan was the third son of eight children of Frank and Glenn Glasscock. He joined the Army Air Corps in December 1941 and served in WWII flying both European and North African Campaigns. He flew in the Berlin Airlift, evacuated military and civilians during the Korean War, and was stationed in Tokyo with his family during the Cold War. His final post was in California where he commanded the 13th Air Medical Evacuation Squadron at Travis AFB.

Following his Air Force retirement he received both his BA and Masters from University of North Texas, which he utilized over a 20-year career with Denton Public Schools, retiring in 1984. His academic career brought him tremendous joy, as he loved to see his former students grow and develop in their lives.

Ivan did not ever retire from public service. He is recognized and loved by many as a community leader in Denton, serving the Boy Scouts of America, the Rotary Club, as a "Paul Harris Fellow", the Denton Planning Commission, United Way, and the Denton Teachers Credit Union, finance committee. In 2006, he received the Congressional Veterans Commendation Award , and was an active and respected member of the Air Force Association where he spoke frequently on military history at the college level. Ivan had a special zest for life and love of people that fueled a successful late in life real estate career at the Vanderlaan firm, where he was active until his death. Ivan's hobby was golf, which he played with treasured friends and his beloved son David at Denton Country Club.

He considered himself blessed by everyone who crossed his path, turning most acquaintances into friends and delighting children with the twinkle in his eye. Ivan gave and received great comfort from his Pastor's Class group at the First Baptist Church of Denton, where he was an active member. Ivan's greatest passion in life was his family, where he shared all of himself as a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother.

Ivan was preceded in death by his wife Gerry in 1992, and later married Nancy Smith Glasscock. He is survived by his wife Nancy of Denton, son David and his wife Jennifer of Dallas and grandchild Katie Grace; stepdaughter Kellye Earhart of Sanger, Tx and her children Jessica and Austin; stepson James and his wife Stacy Spruill of Ratliff, OK children Amber, Heather, Jennifer, Christopher and Hunter; five great grandchildren; and sisters Louise Overman of Kansas City and Nancy Baker of Albuquerque.

Visitation will be at the Mulkey Mason Funeral Home, Tuesday evening from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, located at 705 N. Locust Street in Denton. Memorial service will be held on Wednesday at 2 PM at First Baptist Church, 1100 Malone St. Denton, TX, senior pastor Jeff Williams presiding, with military graveside services immediately following at Little Elm Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First Baptist Church of Denton, TX or Ivan Glasscock Education Scholarship Fund at Denton Area Teacher Credit Union, 225 W. Mulberry St., Denton, TX 76201, in memory of Ivan.