Norman Glynn Wells was born May 9, 1966 to Norman and Virgie (Gordon) Wells and passed away at his residence Feb. 3, 2021.
Glynn grew up in Lindale, TX and was a member of ‘The Pride of Lindale’ band. He fell in love with music and was influenced greatly under the leadership of Hubert ‘Butch’ Almany, Jim Young, Angela Glady and Johnny Cotton.
After graduating from Lindale High School in 1984, he was a proud member of the SFA Lumberjack band under the leadership of Mel Montgomery, assisted by Steve Peterson. He was a member of Kappa Kappa Psi (Music fraternity) and graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Education. He later graduated from SFA with a Masters degree in Educational Leadership.
Glynn was a Band Director for 29 years, 1 year at New Boston and the rest of his career at Nacogdoches. He led Thomas J Rusk Middle School for 10 years with his bands consistently getting 1s’ at UIL concert contests.
He was honored to take over the Nacogdoches High School program that was so successful under Jim Hagood. In Glynn’s 18 years as head director, the Nacogdoches band achieved Sweepstakes 15 out of 18 years.
In 2008, one of the highlights of his career was when the Nacogdoches band was 1 of 22 chosen from across the country to march in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California.
His biggest undertaking was raising the funds needed to take his band to Hawaii not just once, but twice. In 2012 and 2016, the Dragon band played a patriotic program at the park with the Royal Navy band and also performed a concert at Pearl Harbor.
For many years during the summertime, Glynn could be found at Maroney pool supervising swimming lessons and the lifeguards. It was not unusual for several of his employees to be some of his band kids that worked there while completing college.
Glynn was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents-Roland and Onnie Gordon; Felix and Pearl Wells; His father: Norman Wells; Many aunts, uncles and cousins. Also, his Border collie Molly, given to him in 2001 by his first band.
Glynn is survived by his mother Virgie Wells-Lindale, sister Melissa Wells-Lindale, aunt Joy Brown-Hawkins and numerous cousins, friends, co-workers and former students. Sassy, his Border collie given to him by his last band in 2018 also survives him. Our world is much brighter and better because of Glynn and his incredible influence on all our lives. Glynn was not only a band director to his students, he was a friend, a mentor and to some a father figure. His biggest joy was influencing the lives of all his students and seeing them succeed. –
‘A Celebration of Life’ Service for family, close friends, and classmates is scheduled for 2:00 Sunday, February 7, 2021 at Cason-Monk Funeral Home in Nacogdoches. COVID guidelines will be followed and masks will be required. The service will be livestreamed for those who can not attend. There will be a link on Cason Monk website or you can go to their Facebook page, just prior to the service at 2:00. Other services for band students, friends and directors will be announced and held at a later date and time this summer.
Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be sent to: SFA Lumberjack Bands Scholarship Fund. Attn: In memory of Glynn Wells.
Arrangements are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors, Nacogdoches.