Horace Gladney

Horace "Hank" Gladney, age 83, of Beavercreek passed away on March 21, 2017.

Hank was born on January 6, 1934 in Biloxi, Mississippi. He was devoted to his family, learning, the Masons, the Shrine Organization of North America and its Children along with his Country.

Hank graduated from Ocean Springs Public High School (Ocean Springs, Mississippi) in 1951 and earned his Eagle Scout honor in 1952 by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Post high school studies included enrollment at Mississippi State College earning a Bachelor of Science in Entomology. While at Mississippi State he was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and president of the Beta Beta Beta Biology Society. In 1955 from Mississippi State he was Commissioned to the United States Air Force from the ROTC Program. Additional academics took place at the Squadrons Officer School (1962) in Montgomery Alabama, Kansas State University (1965) where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering and the Air Force Institute of Technology (1970) earning a Master of Science degree in Systems Management.

Hank started his Masonic Career in March 1965 as a member of the McLoed Lodge 424 in Ocean Springs Mississippi. He was raised a Master Mason by his father, Horace Gladney, Sr., in December 1965. He later transferred his membership to the Knollwood Lodge 774 in Beavercreek Ohio, serving as Master in 2000. Accomplishments in Masonry included memberships in the Scottish Rite, York Rite and Knights Templar.

Hank started his dedication to the Shrine Organization of North America and its Children in 1959 as a member of Naja Temple in Deadwood, South Dakota. He later transferred his membership to Antioch Shrine in Dayton, Ohio (1981) eventually becoming Potentate of Antioch Temple in 1996. During his years within the Antioch Temple organization, he served as membership Chairperson from 1992-2008. Additional roles within the Shrine Organization of North America included service as president of the Shrine Patrol Association of North America in 2002-2003 (SPANA) and Director General to the President of the Shrine Circus Association of North America in 2004 (SCANA).

Hank was also an active member of the Royal Order of the Jesters (R.O.J.). He served as Impresario Emeritus from 2001-2012.

Hank served his country as an officer in the United States Air Force for 23 years retiring in 1978 as a Lieutenant Colonel. While in the USAF, he was a member of the 77th Bombardment Squadron and the 28th Bombardment Wing as navigator and crew member on the B52. During his service, he was the recipient of the Bronze Star, Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Hank's additional talents and hobbies included having mastered the art of the profound and often times hilarious one-liner, the gift of wondering off as the "Phantom" with the parting comment, "I'll be back in a minute!", identifying every bug known to man under the title of "The Bugologist", pondering a process for days, months, sometimes years before making a decision, and mastering the use, or over use, of scratch paper to solve math problems. In addition, he loved history to include the classic Western movies, his garden plots, the pipe, his mechanical pencil and eraser, a tasty Manhattan and the McDonalds' fish sandwich and chocolate shake.

Hank was preceded in death by his parents, Horace and Henrietta Gladney.

Hank leaves behind his beloved wife of 56 years, Elizabeth "Liz" Gladney; son Scott (Amy) Gladney; daughter Susan (Randy) Woods; grandson Christopher Gladney; and granddaughter Rachel Gladney and friend Duane. He is also survived by many loving nephews and nieces: Tam, Wendie (Fred), Ike (Becky), Denise (Rick), Donnie (Pat), Demaire (Terry), and Buck (Bindy).

Visitation will be held from 2:00-5:00 pm with Masonic and Scottish Rights Services beginning at 4:00 pm on Sunday, March 26, 2017 at Newcomer Funeral Home Beavercreek, 3380 Dayton-Xenia Road Beavercreek, OH 45432.

Funeral services with full Military Honors will be held on Monday, March 27, 2017 at 10:30 am at the funeral home, Newcomer Funeral Home of Beavercreek.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Antioch Shrine Foundation or Children's Shrine Hospital Fund.