Glen Otis Stoddard

Glen Otis Stoddard, age 94, residing in Penney Farms, Florida, died peacefully at his home with family on Wednesday, January 1, 2025. He was dearly beloved by his wife, Betty, family, community, and by our Lord and Savior.

Born July 21, 1930 in Bellingham, Washington to Otis and Marie Leber Stoddard, Glen was the youngest of 3 other siblings (Louise, Marguerite and Philip). Glen began his ministry as a high school student, taking on leadership roles in Baptist Youth Fellowship including service on the National Youth Board. After graduating from Linfield College in Oregon, he attended Berkeley Baptist Divinity School before being called “to go east” to Andover Newton Theological School in Massachusetts. Glen’s first pastorate began in 1955 at the North Springfield Baptist Church in Vermont driving up on the weekends while he was still a student in Newton, Mass. When ordained in North Springfield in 1956, he had already met Betty Knox, his wife of 68 years, at an area Sunday School meeting. 

An American Baptist Minister for 44 years, Glen focused on Christian Education and Youth at subsequent churches in Portland, ME (7 years) and Suffield, CT (4 years). Glen and Betty were busy with church work and raising four children when they were called to New York State. Glen became pastor at the First Baptist Church of Schenectady (11 years ), then First Baptist Church of Middletown, NY (8 years), from which he retired as a full-time pastor.

Glen continued his ministry for the next 10 years as a part-time interim pastor. The couple lived in their lakefront home in the southern Catskill Mountains during those years, spent time at Chautauqua Institute each summer, supported their growing family and, in 1994, began retirement together. They first purchased an RV and drove across the country. Later, they settled into summers at Wanasink Lake and winters in Naples, FL. They ultimately chose Penney Retirement Community (PRC) as their “forever” home in 2007 and flourished in that faith-based, loving and inclusive campus setting. Glen volunteered in pastoral duties for many years at PRC. He loved spending time with family, attending dialogue class, and going to the gym up until the end of his life. 

Glen and Betty were blessed. A long staple of their lives together has been Christianity. They have been open to all God’s children, and often prayed for peace, goodwill and health throughout the world. Glen was remarkably friendly and kind to all. He could strike up a conversation with anyone! He was inquisitive about life and literature, sports, history and politics. Glen’s 2025 calendar was already filled with TV games to watch through March. He sang with a barbershop quartet with the Middletown NY Rotary. He loved to study maps and plan travel. He modeled and taught us how to be gentle, caring and grateful. He had a wonderful laugh .

Glen is survived by his devoted wife Elizabeth Knox Stoddard of Penney Farms, Florida; his loving children: Stacie Starr (David) of Fleming Island, FL; Shellie (Eric Jacobsen); Deirdre Kolb (Robert); and Derek Stoddard (Andrea); 6 grandchildren: Chelsey Lindner, Kayla Mackel, Alexis Snyder, Emma Jacobsen, Clark Stoddard, and Sonya Jacobsen; 9 great grandchildren; Robert Kolb’s children and grandchildren; and many Stoddard and Knox nieces and nephews .

A Celebration of Life and service at the Penney Chapel will be planned for a future date. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to a charity of your choice or

Penney Retirement Community

Checks made to “Residents Aid Fund” 

P.O. Box 555

Penney Farms, Florida 32079