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Glenn Wayne Fain, age 87, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma was born at home in Ada, Oklahoma on September 21, 1935, to George Washington and Mabel Esther Fain. Glenn went to be with his Heavenly Father on March 31, 2023. He graduated from Ada Public Schools and attended East Central University for 2 years.
Glenn married Betty Claudine Smith at Ada First Church of the Nazarene on June 14, 1957, where they attended together as teenagers. According to Betty, Glenn pined after her ever since they first met and eventually wore her down, so she accepted his marriage proposal.
After the wedding, the newlyweds moved to Oklahoma City to start their life in the big city. Glenn began his career as a milkman for DeCoursey's Dairy which later became Townley’s Dairy. Eager to support his new bride, Glenn was a hard worker and very resourceful. In order to find new clients, he would follow moving vans, introduce himself, and leave the potential customers with a free bottle of milk. Glenn was like a family member to all he served, so in turn, he treated them to free chocolate milk or ice cream on their birthdays. Eventually he bought his route and built it to be the largest independent milk route in Oklahoma. In 1975 he sold his route back to Townley’s where they discovered that it took 3 men to cover the route Glenn ran by himself!
While working on his milk route, Glenn discovered that he needed a way to contact his family as he was often out from sunrise to sunset. Glenn discovered CB radios, and they instantly became his favorite hobby! In his spare time, he installed CB radios for friends in their cars and homes. Capitol Electronics, a CB wholesaler, recognized Glenn's salesmanship and work ethic and offered him a job. This new career eventually led to a store manager position at Capitol Electronics' new location in Wichita, Kansas. Glenn and his family relocated there in 1976, and for the next 5 years, called Wichita home until moving back to take over the Oklahoma City branch in 1981.
In 1983, Glenn and Betty opened the first party supply store in Oklahoma City — Party Bazaar. After securing a home equity loan, they partnered with Betty's sister Soundra on their small business that eventually grew to 3 locations. Party Bazaar became the go-to place in OKC for balloons, event decorating, party supplies, gifts, costumes, novelties, theatrical makeup, and professional magic supplies. Glenn managed the location that was formerly Heckler’s Joke Shop. He adored learning magic tricks to show the kids, selling pranks and gag gifts, and, of course, making popcorn for all who entered the door! He was the master of corny jokes, thoroughly enjoyed a good laugh with his customers, and loved seeing the smiles on the faces of those whom he helped.
Glenn attended Nazarene churches most of his life and was a member of OKC First Church of the Nazarene since 1983. He was at church every time the doors were open serving wherever needed including usher, greeter, Sunday School teacher, Sunday School superintendent, board member, and faithful layperson.
Glenn was a man with a great sense of humor, a passion for corny jokes, an ornery smile, yet also possessed a listening ear, and a soft, generous heart. He was a person who always put others' needs ahead of his own. He was a father figure to countless young men who needed a role model and an example of Christ's love to everyone he met.
Glenn was preceded in death by his parents, George Fain and Mabel Lewis; his younger brother, Bobby Fain; his half-brother, Robert Fain; his son, James Brent Fain; and great-grandson, Stephen Habakkuk Flickinger.
He is survived by his wife, Betty Fain; two daughters, Meloni Flickinger and husband Bryan of Benton, KS, and Penny Cotner and husband Jeff of Bartlesville, OK; and a son, Tim Fain and wife Erica of Edmond, OK; sister, Lawanda Grass; half-brothers, Ken Lewis, and George Fain. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Tiffini Battiste, Mathieu Flickinger, Alex Fain, Taylor Delker, Cara Hardee, Parker Fain, Bailey Peterson, Camden Cotner, and Chase Cotner; plus, seventeen great-grandchildren with one more on the way. He was “DeeDad” to them all and without a doubt their favorite person on the planet.
Glenn was a wonderful example of a life well-lived. He will be greatly missed. A celebration service will be held on Monday, April 10, 2023, from 1:00 – 2:30 at OKC First Church of the Nazarene, 4400 NW Expressway, OKC, OK with a reception immediately following.
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