Michael James Glacken

7/2/1945-6/28/2023

With indescribable sorrow, we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of Michael J. Glacken in the afternoon of June 28, 2023.

He was born on July 2nd, 1945 in Chicago, Illinois as the second child of Clarence James Glacken and Mildred R. Mosher. Michael was born into an educated, well traveled family, and 4th generation with James as the middle name. His heritage traces back to the immigrants of the Mayflower and his grandparents settling in Sacramento in a covered wagon through the Oregon Trail. He was born near the end of WWII, and his father was in the military. They moved around a bit before settling in Berkeley, CA where his father became a Professor of Geography at UC Berkeley. Michael grew up in Berkeley, and with his thirst for knowledge and education, skipped 2 grades and graduated High School at the age of 16. He decided to take a year off before college and backpacked through Europe and into Morocco. He enjoyed many adventures before returning back home and began college at Cal Poly University.

Michael enjoyed studying and received 2 bachelor degrees. In 1969, he fathered his first son, Job James Glacken in Oslo, Norway. He lived in Norway a year before returning home with his son. In 1981, he met his wife, Nelly at a Halloween party. After meeting, he took Nelly on a helicopter ride around the Bay Area for their first date. Knowing that it was love, they married a few months later and honeymooned in Disneyland. They enjoyed their marriage for several years in Crockett, CA before their first child together was born, Aimee Michelle in 1985. Their second child, Jennifer Chloe was born in 1987. In 1989, Michael received a job as a computer analyst and programmer for the State of California, criminal justice department and moved his family to Vacaville, CA. Michael retired from the Department of Justice at the end of 2009. He spent his retirement years with his wife traveling to several countries around the world and spending time with his 3 children and grandchildren.

Michael lived a full life of adventure, education, and research. He enjoyed reading, mathematics, science and writing. His interests were learning about other cultures and their way of life, the mechanics that goes into airplanes and engines, documentaries, fixing and inventing handy things to make daily life easier, classical music, jazz, blue rock music, boxing and nature.

Michael is preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Mildred Glacken. Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Nelly Glacken. His children Job James Glacken, daughter-in-law Megan Glacken, Aimee Austin, son-in-law Joshua Austin, and Jennifer Glacken. Also, his niece, Maia Discoe and her husband Roger Hodges. As well as 7 grandchildren, Theoren James Glacken, Eion Glacken, Nova Glacken, Ronan Glacken, Amelia Figueroa, Marco James Figueroa and Kenna Austin.

The Glacken Family, led by Nelly Glacken, would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming love, support, unparalleled generosity, prayers, and companionship extended to us during this challenging time. Your unwavering presence has been our source of strength and solace.