John Glenn Funeral

I first met John Glenn when I was just 9 years old, a moment I will never forget. Over the years, I had the incredible honor of meeting and photographing him dozens of times. But nothing quite prepared me for the solemn and deeply emotional day when I photographed his funeral.

John Glenn was truly one of a kind. He was a man of such genuine kindness and unwavering integrity. He had a spirit that was pure, and that authenticity shone through every time I interacted with him. Whether he was in a crowd or speaking one-on-one, John had a way of making you feel important. But the real constant I noticed over all those years was Annie, his childhood sweetheart, always by his side. I can’t remember a single time when they were apart. They were a team, and their bond was something special—a testament to their love and commitment.

When I was at his funeral, it was clear just how much John meant to so many people. The tears, the memories, the stories of his incredible life—all of it brought home just how irreplaceable he truly was. But there was also a palpable sense of grief for Annie. I can’t even imagine the depth of her sorrow. To see them together for so many years and then to realize she would have to face life without him was heart-wrenching. She had been by his side for everything—his astronaut career, his time in the Senate, and his legacy as a national treasure. I could see in her eyes the pain of losing not only her husband but also her best friend, her constant companion.

The ceremony itself was a mix of solemn respect and celebration of a life well-lived. We lost a true American hero that day. John Glenn was so much more than an astronaut; he was a symbol of perseverance, hope, and service. He was Captain America, Steve Canyon, and Mr. Rogers all rolled into one—genuine, selfless, and always giving to others. But what made him even more remarkable was the quiet strength of Annie, his Wonder Woman, standing by his side through it all.

As I looked through my lens that day, I couldn’t help but think of all the times I’d had the privilege to photograph John Glenn in moments of triumph, in candid laughter, and in the quiet simplicity of his character. Those images will forever stay with me, etched in my memory. I feel honored to have captured glimpses of a life so full of purpose and love. And now, as I reflect on his passing, I offer my deepest sympathy to Annie, their children Lynn and David, and all those who were touched by his remarkable life.

John Glenn may be gone, but his legacy as an American hero, a loving husband, and an all-around good man will never fade. Rest in peace, Colonel Glenn.

My sympathy goes out to Annie, Lynn and David.

The United States Marines carry the casket of Astronaut, United States Senator, and US Marine Colonel John Glenn photographed Saturday, December 17, 2016 at the Ohio State House. (© James D. DeCamp | http://JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

The United States Marines carry the casket of Astronaut, United States Senator, and US Marine Colonel John Glenn photographed Saturday, December 17, 2016 at the Ohio State House. (© James D. DeCamp | http://JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

The United States Marines carry the casket of Astronaut, United States Senator, and US Marine Colonel John Glenn photographed Saturday, December 17, 2016 at the Ohio State House. (© James D. DeCamp | http://JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

Annie Glenn watches from her funeral limo as the United States Marines carry the casket of Astronaut, United States Senator, and US Marine Colonel John Glenn and load him into the hearse before the funeral processional photographed Saturday, December 17, 2016 at the Ohio State House. (© James D. DeCamp | http://JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

John Herschel Glenn Jr. was a United States Marine Corps aviator, engineer, astronaut, and United States Senator from Ohio. In 1962, he became the first American to orbit the Earth, circling it three times.

Before joining NASA, Glenn was a distinguished fighter pilot in World War II, China and Korea. He shot down three MiG-15 aircraft, and was awarded six Distinguished Flying Crosses and eighteen Air Medals. In 1957, he made the first supersonic transcontinental flight across the United States. His on-board camera took the first continuous, panoramic photograph of the United States.

He was one of the Mercury Seven, military test pilots selected in 1959 by NASA as the United States’ first astronauts. On February 20, 1962, Glenn flew the Friendship 7 mission, becoming the first American to orbit the Earth, and the fifth person and third American in space. He received the NASA Distinguished Service Medal in 1962 and the Congressional Space Medal of Honor in 1978, was inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame in 1990, and was the last surviving member of the Mercury Seven.

Glenn resigned from NASA in January 1964. He planned to run for a U.S. Senate seat from Ohio, but an injury in February 1964 forced his withdrawal. He retired from the Marine Corps the following year. He lost a close primary election in 1970. A member of the Democratic Party, Glenn first won election to the Senate in 1974 and served for 24 years until January 1999.

In 1998, while still a sitting senator, Glenn became the oldest person to fly in space as a crew member of the Discovery space shuttle and the only person to fly in both the Mercury and Space Shuttle programs. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012.