Glenn LaBoda
November 13, 1955 - January 11, 2023
Glenn Elliot LaBoda, 67, of Suwanee, Georgia, peacefully entered into the presence of his Lord and Savior on January 11, 2023, after a brief but valiant battle with brain cancer.
Glenn was born on November 13, 1955, in Ancón, Panama, to the late Carl LaBoda and the late Molly LaBoda. Also preceding Glenn in death was his beloved son, Alex LaBoda, and his brother, Gary LaBoda.
He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Sheryl LaBoda; cherished children and stepchildren, Justin LaBoda, Sherri Wilchman (Randall), Jim Hallada (Kelly); beloved grandchildren, Kaitlin LaBoda, Alex LaBoda, Grant Wilchman, Selena Hallada, Isaac Hallada; sister, Sandee Niles (Mike); as well as a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and dear friends.
Glenn grew up in New Jersey and graduated from Paramus High School in 1973. After high school, Glenn joined the Navy in 1974 at age 19. He went to submarine school in Bremerton, Washington for 3 years and in 1977 was assigned to the USS Sand Lance. He spent 5 years on the Sand Lance, which included 2 stints in the shipyard that were about a year each. The Sand Lance was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation and Navy Expeditionary Medal in 1979 for Special Operations conducted that same year.
In 1981 he left Bremerton and the Sand Lance for 3 years of shore duty in Charleston, South Carolina, as an instructor at the Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarine Training Center. In route from Bremerton to Charleston, he stopped over in Chattanooga, Tennessee to visit his mom. There he met the love of his life, Sheryl, later to be his wife of 39 years. After 3 years of shore duty in Charleston, he had one more year of sea duty to fulfill before he got out. He spent his last year in the Navy (1984 - 1985) on the USS Dace stationed in Groton, Connecticut. The "adventure ended" in June, 1985.
His first job out of the Navy was working for Scientific Atlanta as a Reliability/Maintainability Engineer and Technical Writer, but he soon discovered sitting in an office was not for him, and that he truly loved "fixing things". So he ultimately spent a career at Océ, later to become Canon, repairing high-tech, high-speed digital copiers and printers.
Glenn was an avid baseball fan for many years and coached both his sons in Little League Baseball from tee ball to senior league. He played in an "over 30" Men's Baseball League in Charleston, and later in an Atlanta Men's Senior Baseball League, the Royals. Following in his grandfather's footsteps, he was also an avid Green Bay Packers fan since the age of 9 even though he grew up in New Jersey. He began playing golf in his early 20's and, over the years became an exceptional golfer. So exceptional in fact that, in 2017, he retired from his day job and entered into the PGA program to become a PGA certified professional golf instructor. While pursuing the certification, he first worked at Windermere Golf Club, and finally at Stone Mountain Golf Club, where he was promoted to Assistant Head Professional. He passed the PGA playing test with ease and had almost completed the second of three levels of coursework before he became ill. Over the years, he enjoyed marshaling in both LPGA and PGA tournaments in Atlanta, Kiawah Island, Hilton Head, and Puerto Rico.
Glenn always loved boating and being on the water, and he was an accomplished captain and navigator. When the children were young, the family had several small bow riders over the years and enjoyed skiing and tubing on various lakes and rivers. In 2003, Glenn discovered the Atlanta Sail and Power Squadron (now America's Boating Club Atlanta) which offers classes on boating safety and navigation, provides community service, and organizes fun social events. There he and Sheryl met lifelong friends. Glenn took every class ABCA offered, becoming Senior Navigator in 2010. He was also the recipient of the Nelle Moon award in 2010, a distinguished honor for those members who give selflessly of their time for the betterment of the organization. Only after he completed his educational goals did he go through the chairs, becoming the Commander of ABCA in 2013. In 2008, some of his ABCA friends introduced him to the University Yacht Club, where he acquired even more boating friends, as well as a weekend home on the water (aka a bigger boat). Between the two organizations, Glenn and Sheryl spent years cruising the waterways with their boating friends, from many parts of the ICW, to inland rivers, to chartering in the British Virgin Islands and the San Juan Islands.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Eagle Ranch, 5500 Union Church Road, Flowery Branch, GA 30542 or a charity of your choice.
https://www.crowellbrothers.com/obituaries/Glenn-Elliot-LaBoda?obId=27054667