Owen and Glenda Walls were teenagers when they first met in Long Beach over 70 years ago. They quickly fell in love and married. Devoted to each other, only the war separated them for a brief period of time but, the days that followed World War II were spent together. Today they have been married for over 67 years.
Owen and Glenda have called their house on Monlaco Rd in Long Beach home for the last 53 years. Early on, they owned their own local plumbing business - Lakewood Plumbing Company. They kept the business for about 15 years, and ran it, while they raised their four children. Glenda ran the office of their plumbing company with one hand and ran the business of family with the other. Owen and Glenda eventually sold the family business and Owen became a Plumbing Inspector for the City of Long Beach where he worked until he retired.
With the support of Owen, Glenda stayed involved with her children and active in the local community. She served as a leader for Brownies, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, and was President of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA). When her children became adults she became active in other local Long Beach clubs, serving as President of a Writing Club and the President of the Women's Association of Plumber's Wives.
Later, Glenda became a very active and nationally recognized member of the Long Beach Emblem Club #106, a charitable foundation that raises money for Children's Charities. Glenda helped raise funds for local organizations such as the Long Beach Tichners Dental clinic, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, The Austistic Society, as well as The Long Beach Police Department. With the support of Owen, she was able to hold the office of President four separate times.
Owen is now 88 and Glenda is 86. Over the years Owen and Glenda's four children grew into a dynasty of 56 family members. The totals to date are four children and their three spouses, twenty-one grandchildren, and twenty eight great grandchildren.
Among the many things Owen and Glenda handed down to the newer generations was their passion for travel. On December 21 to 24, 2009, they took a 3-day Christmas cruise out of Long Beach with 13 family members from all of the four generations. The Great Grandchildren, now spanning in age from 14 to 20 years old, forewent tangible Christmas presents to take the cruise with "Nana and Papa" (AKA Owen and Glenda). Everyone believed that spending time with them as a family was the greatest gift that could be given during this season. As testimony to that spirit, all family members attended a Karaoke session on the Carnival Paradise. There the six attending Great Grand Children got up on stage while wearing Santa hats and sang "All I Want for Christmas is You". They dedicated the song to their watching Great Grand Parents (Nana and Papa) - our family's heroes.
Owen and Glenda have called their house on Monlaco Rd in Long Beach home for the last 53 years. Early on, they owned their own local plumbing business - Lakewood Plumbing Company. They kept the business for about 15 years, and ran it, while they raised their four children. Glenda ran the office of their plumbing company with one hand and ran the business of family with the other. Owen and Glenda eventually sold the family business and Owen became a Plumbing Inspector for the City of Long Beach where he worked until he retired.
With the support of Owen, Glenda stayed involved with her children and active in the local community. She served as a leader for Brownies, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, and was President of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA). When her children became adults she became active in other local Long Beach clubs, serving as President of a Writing Club and the President of the Women's Association of Plumber's Wives.
Later, Glenda became a very active and nationally recognized member of the Long Beach Emblem Club #106, a charitable foundation that raises money for Children's Charities. Glenda helped raise funds for local organizations such as the Long Beach Tichners Dental clinic, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, The Austistic Society, as well as The Long Beach Police Department. With the support of Owen, she was able to hold the office of President four separate times.
Owen is now 88 and Glenda is 86. Over the years Owen and Glenda's four children grew into a dynasty of 56 family members. The totals to date are four children and their three spouses, twenty-one grandchildren, and twenty eight great grandchildren.
Among the many things Owen and Glenda handed down to the newer generations was their passion for travel. On December 21 to 24, 2009, they took a 3-day Christmas cruise out of Long Beach with 13 family members from all of the four generations. The Great Grandchildren, now spanning in age from 14 to 20 years old, forewent tangible Christmas presents to take the cruise with "Nana and Papa" (AKA Owen and Glenda). Everyone believed that spending time with them as a family was the greatest gift that could be given during this season. As testimony to that spirit, all family members attended a Karaoke session on the Carnival Paradise. There the six attending Great Grand Children got up on stage while wearing Santa hats and sang "All I Want for Christmas is You". They dedicated the song to their watching Great Grand Parents (Nana and Papa) - our family's heroes.
Submitted by The Walls Family
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