Arthur Glenn Kahl, known to family and friends as Glenn, passed away on June 7, 2026, in Manteca, California, at the age of 89.
Glenn was born on May 20, 1937, in Los Angeles, California, the only child of Kathryn and Arthur Kahl. He grew up in Los Angeles and Temple City, California, and from an early age he carried himself with the intelligence, optimism, and faith that would guide him throughout his life. To avoid confusion with his father, he always went by his middle name, Glenn, a name that became well known and warmly remembered by all who knew him.
He attended Pasadena City College, where he met the love of his life, Mary Lou. The two were married on June 18, 1960, and shared a devoted life together until Mary Lou’s passing from ALS in 2016. Together they raised four children and built a home filled with love, hard work, and steady encouragement. Glenn was a proud father to Steven, a high school teacher in Los Gatos, California; Scott, an Assistant Superintendent of Schools in Mansfield, Texas; Sharon, an elementary school teacher in Morgan Hill, California; and Tim, who is retired from law enforcement and now serves as a college professor in San Diego, California. He also cherished his five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, who brought him great joy and pride.
Glenn served his country in the United States Army for two years as a helicopter mechanic. During his service, he was stationed in Tracy, and that assignment brought him and his family to the Central Valley, first to Manteca and later to Ripon. He carried the discipline and purpose he learned in the Army into every season of his life, and he remained grateful for the friendships and experiences that service provided. His life reflected a quiet strength and a deep commitment to duty, both to his nation and to the people he loved.
After his military service, Glenn built a long and respected career in journalism and photography. He worked for several newspapers, including the Victorville Press, the Manteca Bulletin, and the Manteca News. He later owned his own photography studio at 300 E. Yosemite Avenue in Manteca, where he spent many years capturing weddings, senior portraits, and family portraits for countless local residents. His work preserved precious memories for generations of families, and his eye for detail and natural talent behind the camera earned him lasting appreciation in the community. He also shared his knowledge by teaching a photography class at East Union High School for one semester, passing along his skills and enthusiasm to young students.
Glenn was also deeply involved in community service. He gave generously of his time and energy through organizations such as the Manteca Rotary, Ripon Rotary, Salida Rotary, and the Manteca Kiwanis Club. He was active in the community in many ways, including as a Little League Baseball coach for the Tradeway Chevrolet team in the 1970s. Whether through service clubs, youth sports, or his professional work, Glenn consistently looked for ways to contribute, encourage, and make a difference in the lives of others.
Later in life, Glenn found companionship and love with Sue Ellen Myers, whom he later married and with whom he lived until shortly before his passing. Their time together added comfort, joy, and fellowship to his later years. Throughout his life, Glenn remained faithful, optimistic, and deeply rooted in the values that shaped him from the beginning. He will be remembered for his warm presence, his dedication to family, his service to country and community, and the many ways he enriched the lives of those around him.
Glenn Kahl leaves behind a legacy of kindness, hard work, and steadfast devotion. His life was one of purpose and grace, and he will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
MANTECA (Calif.) Bulletin
SATURDAY JUNE 13, 2026
