Glen Allen Yarberry

Glen Yarberry of Highlands Ranch, 93, died on April 16 at Wind Crest Assisted Living, with his sons by his side, having listened to Tommy Dorsey his last days with everybody who came by to visit. He is preceded in death by his parents, Delbert and Phyllis Yarberry, his wife Ann, and his granddaughter Becky. He is survived by his second wife, Marybeth, his sons Steve (Valinda) and Scott (Karen), grandchildren Ryan, Ian (Kathleen), and Keith (Sabrina), and great-grandchildren Harper, Emily, and Ava. Glen was born in Pueblo, Colorado. He graduated from Central High School, Pueblo, discovering his love of the trombone and brass very early. He worked at the CF&I steel mill and the Rio Grande Railroad to finance attending Miami University and the University of Michigan, graduating from the University of Denver in music education. His first position was Director of Music, K-12, in Johnstown, Colorado. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy, and from 1951-55 was a Fleet Musician and Navy Bandsman. While stationed in Washington D.C. and on leave, he met Ann, and they were married in three months. He and Ann lived at naval bases in Kodiak, Alaska, and Tennessee.

Glen and Ann returned to Colorado, where he earned a Master’s degree from the University of Denver and became the Director of Bands and Coordinator of Music at Loveland High School in Loveland, Colorado. He became Director of Bands and later Chairman, Division of Fine Arts, at Adams State College in Alamosa, Colorado. While at Adams State, he earned a Doctor of Education in Music degree at Pennsylvania State University in State College, Pennsylvania. His final teaching job was as Professor of Music and Music Education at Metropolitan State College (now University) in Denver, Colorado.

Music became a passion of Glen’s at an early age, learning to play the trombone while in grade school, playing in various musical groups including Phillips Crusaders Boys Military Band and Betty Brigg’s Orchestra. Continuing his love of trombone playing, he played in a dance band called Kelt’s Kats, which prompted him to join the musician’s union at an early age because the band earned money playing at dances. One of his most unusual musical gigs in Pueblo was playing in an orchestra for the burlesque dancer Sally Rand when Glen was too young to be able to attend the show. Glen was involved in community activities such as Rotary and won numerous music honors. He played in amateur music groups, directed the Denver Concert Band, and played bass trombone with the Barrister’s Brass Quintet. He was active at Alamosa Methodist Church and Wellshire Presbyterian Church, singing in choirs, being an elder, directing choirs, and playing trombone or tuba. He amazed everyone with playing tuba in the Wellshire Brass Quintet until he was 90.

In addition to his love of music, Glen loved to travel in the U.S. and in Europe, both with Ann and family and later with Marybeth. While living in Alamosa, Glen and Ann bought an old barn with another family near Del Norte, Colorado, and remodeled it into a cabin, which is still owned by both families. Glen lived a very full life, touching the lives of many colleagues and students, and will be greatly missed by everybody who knew him.

Services will be held on Saturday, June 10, 2023 - 11:00 AM at Wellshire Presbyterian Church -  2999 S Colorado Blvd., Denver, CO 80222.

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