Glen Albert Sliger (1931 - 2011)

Glen Albert Sliger passed away unexpectedly on July 5, 2011, with his family by his side.

Glen was born on Aug. 6, 1931, to Everett and Lucille Sliger in McCook, Neb. He spent his childhood on the ball fields and crop fields, working his father's Chrysler-Plymouth dealership and loading and unloading farming products at the railroad depot in McCook. In his teen years he excelled in sports, played many different musical instruments and spent his summers lifeguarding at the "local swimming holes." He graduated from McCook High School in 1950.

Glen was offered a football scholarship to Nebraska University and was also accepted at University of Notre Dame. The decision was easy! He chose Notre Dame where he participated in the football, track and band programs. In 1954 he graduated from Notre Dame with a degree in physical education and a minor in biology. Glen earned his Masters Degree in confluent education at UCSB. Glen secured his first teaching job at Mullin High School in the Denver, Colo., area. He also coached football and basketball and took his basketball team to two state championships, winning one.

Glen met his wife, Barbara (Bobbie), as she was completing nursing school in Denver. Later they moved to Pisgah, Iowa, to be near their families in Nebraska and Minnesota. In addition to teaching, Glen began a 40-year sports officiating career at both the high school and college levels. In 1956 the Sligers moved to Lemoore, Calif., where Glen taught, coached, officiated and started their family. They lived in Arcadia and ultimately settled in Santa Paula with their family of eight.

Glen continued his teaching career in the Santa Paula Elementary School District for 28 years. In addition, he was the recreation director for the City of Santa Paula for five years. It was at the elementary school level that his teaching skills and caring attitude touched thousands of eager students. He was thrilled to welcome into his classroom the children of his previous students. In later years he was delighted with positive feedback from former students.

Glen loved traveling and camping with Bobbie and family. They traveled extensively throughout the US and Canada. When they were able, the couple traveled to many countries enjoying the variety of cultures throughout the world. He also thoroughly enjoyed attending his children's and grandchildren's school and sporting events.

Glen lost his wife, Barbara, "The light of his life," in December of 2008. He continued to demonstrate his enthusiasm for life at The Palms at Bonaventure Residence in Ventura. In 2009 and 2010 his sons accompanied him to his high school reunion in Nebraska, and his college reunion at Notre Dame in Indiana.

He is survived by his sister, Jean Todd (Littleton, Colo.); his sons, Terry (Denise) and grandchildren, Justin, Sean, Brian and Kevin (Richland, Wash.); Tom and grandchildren, Wesley and Jenna, and great-granddaughter, Davanie (Gainesville, Ga.); Tim (Evelyn) and grandchildren, Brittany (Ken), Michael and Brooke (Camarillo); Kevin (Ninette) and grandchildren, Heather, Nicole, Andrea, Tylynn, and step-grandson, Trevor (Santa Paula); daughters, Melinda Sliger (Santa Paula) and Mary Sliger and grandchildren, Anthony and Marciana (Ventura). Glen was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, friend and mentor.

Contributions may be made to St. Sebastian School, 325 E. Santa Barbara St., Santa Paula, CA 93060.

I'm Free Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free.
I'm following the path God laid for me.
I took His hand when I heard Him call,
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day, to laugh, to love, to work or play;
tasks left undone must stay that way.
If my parting has left a void, then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, ah yes, these things I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow,
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life's been full, I've savored much.
Good friends, good times, a loved ones touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief, don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift your hearts up and share with me,
I'm with God now, I've been set free.

Visitation will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 13, at Skillin-Carroll Mortuary, 738 E. Santa Paula Street, followed by a rosary at 7 p.m. at St. Sebastian Church (corner of Ninth and Santa Paula Streets). A funeral mass will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 14, at St. Sebastian Church. Burial will follow immediately after the funeral mass.