Glenn Vernon Costner, 85, lifelong Guymon resident, graduated to his heavenly reward Sunday, April 27, 2008 at the Memorial Hospital of Texas County, Guymon, OK.

The son of Henry Justus and Ella Flora (Bartels) Costner, he was born at home, before the doctor could arrive, on February 18, 1923.  The day after his birth, one of the worst dust storms in history blew through the area and Glenn’s mom had to cover the windows with wet towels to protect him from the elements.

Glenn was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, and three sisters. Survivors include his wife, Joan, three sons: Vernon Max Costner of Guymon, and children Katie, Max, Veronica and Justin; David Costner and wife, Donna of Lafayette, CO and children Elizabeth and Ryan; Gary Costner and wife, Brenda of Guymon and children, Brandy, Andrew, Jordan, Taylor and Kiley; two foster daughters Hazel Clark and husband Owen of Duncan, OK and Rosie Schuster and husband Mike of Mangum, OK; eight great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, one brother, Marvin Costner and wife, Kara of Guymon; one sister, Erline Wilson of Guymon, and many nieces and nephews.

Glenn attended schools in Goodwell and Guymon.  He had to start working at an early age, as the Great Depression was a reality he grew up with.  Being a tall person, at the age of 11 people thought he was 18 and expected him to work like a man.  When he was 12, he was responsible for herding 500 head of cattle, which he did, barefooted!

Around 1939 the Costner home burned down and the family lost everything. Glenn watched the fire burning from a mile away trying desperately to get there. When he did arrive he found his father badly burned but thanks to the courage and fast action of his sister Erline, no one lost their lives.

When he came of age, he joined the Navy.  The Navy loaned him to the Coast Guard (or Merchant Marines) and while doing his duty he also served as chaplain on one of the Liberty Ships where he was known as “Father Okie” because of his accent.  He impacted the men he served with and was able to lead several into a relationship with the Lord.  After his medical discharge, he went to California where he worked at several different jobs.  He met and married Nora Jean Osborne there, however, they moved back to Guymon to help care for Glenn’s elderly parents.  To this union was born one son, Vernon Max.

Glenn met Joan Clifton, and her son David, in 1958 and after a couple years of getting to know each other, they married on November 2, 1960.  To this union was born Gary.  Now they had three boys and not a girl in sight!  It was to expensive to adopt so Glenn and Joan decided to become foster parents.  Through the years they loved and cared for 35 children, some longer than others.  Two special girls, Hazel Clark and Rosie Schuster, found a permanent place in Glenn’s heart and they call him Daddy to this day.  Needless to say, Glenn enjoyed every minute of opening his heart and home to children who needed to be loved.  He always had room to love one more!

Glenn had several different jobs while in Guymon, but he worked for the City for 20 years and retired in 1988 as Traffic Supervisor.  Those of you who knew Glenn well, know he loved to joke.  He could make a joke last all day long. For example, there were only two stalls in the restroom facilities at Mich/Wis Pipeline Co. where he was employed.  One day Glenn decided to put an out-of-order sign on one door and a pair of shoes and overalls in the second stall so it looked like someone was in the john.  All morning long the guys would come to use the facilities and could never find the second stall empty.  Finally the boss had had enough and flung the stall door open to make the “guy” in there get out--to his surprise he found the empty shoes and overalls!!  Glenn loved life and loved to share his sense of humor with those around him.

One of the recipients of his love was his brother Marvin.  Glenn thought that Marvin was the smartest man he knew.  The two of them could do the work of four men! What a team they made.  Glenn also loved Tom Elrod.  Often you would hear Glenn say that Tom Elrod was the best friend he ever had.

Glenn was shy by nature but he was never afraid to call on the Lord.  You’ll never know the hours, and in some instances years, spent on his knees carrying you to the throne of grace and asking for God’s will to be realized in your life!

Glenn is now part of your future for the Word of God tells us in I Thess. 4 “.…the dead in Christ shall rise first, then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  Reassure one another with these words.”  Just as Glenn had a call on his life to preach the gospel--receive into your heart the words he shared with you on different occasions.  Remember how he always said “I’ll be praying for you?“ and when it was time for goodbyes he would always remind you, “Don’t forget to pray?”……Honor his memory by being all that God wants you to be!


Dearest ~

Dearest, I'll still miss you ~
When ten years have passed us by;
And I'll catch glimpses of you from
The corner of my eye ~

I'll turn on impulse just to see
Someone I took for you ~
There seems no valid purpose in
The things I used to do.

I wonder that the sun can shine
Or that the earth can turn ~
I wonder how life goes ahead
When all I do is yearn

For one more day, on hour, one touch
Again...your blue eyes shining!
I realize my life is spent
In hours of earnest pining.

I will always, always, mourn you,
Always miss your precious ways ~
Always I'll be yearning for
Those dear, sweet yesterdays ~

My heart will never fly again
Until your face I see ~
And always you'll be number one...
Most precious memory.

"I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me..." 2 Samuel 12:23


Joan Clifton Costner
http://underhiswings0.tripod.com/
http://www.heavenlypoetry.com/