Glea Roy McBride, age 78, of Charleston, Illinois, passed away on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. Visitation will be held for family and friends at Adams Funeral Chapel on Friday, June 17, 2022, from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m., with a memorial service following at 4:00 p.m. with Reverend Janice Kahl presiding. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Wesley United Methodist Church of Charleston and left at the visitation/service or mailed in care of Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL 61920.
Glea was born in Erwin, Tennessee on February 20, 1944, the son of Thorne and Ella Jay McBride. He married Marilyn Loehrlein with whom he recently celebrated 48 years of marriage. Marilyn survives along with their children: Tim (Crystal) McBride of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Suzanne (Matt) Schubert of Charleston, Illinois, Patrick (Alejandra) McBride of Chicago, Illinois, and Lisa (Matt) Foos of Kansas City, Missouri; Glea’s siblings: Albert McBride of Alcoa, Tennessee, Juanita Engle of Erwin, Tennessee, Floy Ellen (John) Harris also of Erwin, and David (Jan) McBride of Knoxville, Tennessee. Also surviving are two precious grandchildren, Liam and Nora Schubert, and Glea’s faithful canine companion, Bentley. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Glea earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Tennessee – Knoxville and went on to work for NASA as an Aerospace Technologist tracking rockets. Alcoa made him an offer he couldn’t refuse, and he spent the rest of his career working in various locations, retiring from Alcoa in Newburgh, Indiana. Glea was a family man, sports car aficionado, and outdoors enthusiast. He enjoyed working on cars, taking road trips, fishing, camping, deer hunting, ski trips out west, taking Marilyn for motorcycle rides, and traveling to the beach with his family. He taught all four kids to waterski, and a day on the lake was a favorite activity for the whole family. His twin grandchildren, Liam and Nora, brought him much joy. He loved his ongoing game of tag with Nora and building with Liam. Glea was a kind, loving and selfless man who put everyone else before himself. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
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