Glenn Leroy Kell Obituary (1951 - 2020)

Glenn Leroy Kell, 68, went to be with his Lord on August 6, 2020 after a long battle with cancer. He was born on November 3, 1951 in St. Louis, Missouri to George and Jackie (Glenn) Kell. On July 12, 1973, Glenn married Peggy Suelzle from Denhoff, North Dakota. Glenn's passion for excellence in teaching and preaching lead him to pursue a Bachelor of Arts from MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, Kansas, a Master of Divinity from Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri, a Doctor of Ministry from North American Baptist Seminary in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education Administration from the University of Iowa, in Iowa City, Iowa. Glenn was ordained as an elder in the Church of the Nazarene. After graduating from seminary, Glenn pastored churches in Grafton, North Dakota and Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Following the leading of the Lord, Glenn and Peggy traveled to Africa as missionaries where Glenn served as Principal of Nazarene Bible College in Lusaka, Zambia. He enjoyed teaching ministerial students both in Zambia and in his next assignment as Academic Dean at Kenya Nazarene Bible College. While in Kenya, he edited and submitted an extensive application document to the Kenya Commission for Higher Education resulting in the establishment of Africa Nazarene University. After returning to the States to pursue his PhD, Glenn worked as a hospital administrator at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa. Glenn served as President of the UIHC Staff Council and loved cheering on the Hawkeyes. Following retirement in 2014, Glenn and Peggy moved to Katy, Texas to live closer to their children and grandchildren. Wherever Glenn lived, he was active in his local community. In the Dakotas, he volunteered for an ambulance service and officiated high school football. While living in Iowa City, he began officiating slow pitch softball. He approached this new interest from an academic perspective. He studied the game to enhance his personal skills and soon became involved in training umpires. He attended ASA/USA National Umpire Schools and officiated numerous state and national tournaments. In Texas, he was a member of the Houston UIC Staff and spent considerable time writing practical training materials and teaching softball umpire mechanics for USA Softball Houston. Glenn was honored to serve on the Board of Trustees for MidAmerica Nazarene University. He chaired numerous committees, the most recent being the MNU Governance and Trustee Development Committee. In his letter of resignation from the Board due to his cancer advancement, he stated that serving on the MNU Board of Trustees was "one of the greatest privileges of my life." His happy place was his personal study where he was surrounded by his extensive library. He often referred to his books as his "friends." Throughout his life, he preached anointed sermons, taught in-depth Bible studies, and presented Sunday School lessons, all with eloquence. His relationship with the Lord and his "friends" provided the foundation for his preaching and teaching and contributed to his understanding of God and humanity. Glenn was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Peggy; his children, Jennifer and Wayne Patterson of Katy, Texas and Ryan and Carissa Kell of Georgetown, Texas; his grandchildren Drew and Kate Patterson; and his siblings, Debra and David Plumlee, Rand and Judith Kell, Laura and James Spencer, and Reba and Dave Bowden. Before going to heaven, Glenn encouraged his family to take care of each other and to live for the Lord. A celebration of his life will be scheduled at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to MidAmerica Nazarene University (2030 E. College Way, Olathe, KS 66062 or online at www.mnu.edu/give-online) for the Pioneer Legacy Fund.