Glen was born on September 12, 1935, in Clayton, Illinois, to Charles 'Hap' and Frances Davis Cookson. He was raised in Camp Point, Illinois and graduated from Camp Point High School with the class of 1953. On November 12, 1955, he was married to Helen 'Betty' Nelson in Quincy, Illinois. The couple lived in Quincy and he worked at the International Shoe Company. In 1963, the family moved to Grinnell, Iowa, and he worked in the buildings and grounds department of Grinnell College. From 1968 to 2000, he worked for the Farmhand Company and later Grinnell Products. He enjoyed golfing, bowling, camping, woodworking and traveling. Survivors include his wife, Helen 'Betty' Cookson of Grinnell; two sons, Anthony Cookson of Grinnell and John Cookson of Cedar Rapids; three grandchildren, four great grandchildren; one brother, Lyle 'Wayne' Cookson of Liberty, Illinois; and two sisters, Luella Tinkle of Memphis, Missouri and Janet Sparks of Ewing, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents. Memorials may be directed to the American Diabetic Association and sent in care of Betty Cookson, 922 Pearl Street, Grinnell, Iowa 50112.