Roll Call Tribute

Edwin G. "Glenn" Eikner, Jr. 

September 6, 1956 - October 15, 2024 

Edwin Glenn Eikner, Jr. was born September 6, 1956, to Edwin Glenn Eikner, Sr. and Dolly Flo (Wood) Eikner. He passed in the Presence of His LORD October 15, 2024. He was 68 years old. Glenn was the oldest of three children, born and raised in Tyler, Texas. A Texan and an Aggie through and through!

Family and faith were a huge part of Glenn’s childhood. He would say, "If the doors of the church were unlocked, mom and dad had us there." He loved Jesus and accepted him as his savior at an early age. Then later this summer in the midst of all these life changing events with his health, he felt as if he needed to make it clear he was following Jesus. On one Sunday morning, he prayed for the forgiveness of his Savior asked for Christ to be his Lord and Savior. Now with full confidence, he is resting for eternity in the arms of His Loving Heavenly Father.

From the time Glenn was young he worked hard and played even harder. He loved everything to do with the outdoors. Hunting, fishing, and any sports, but football was his passion.

Glenn was involved in football up until high school, when unfortunately, his football career was cut short due to breaking his femur during a inter squad scrimmage. To make matters worse, this injury happened a day before his 16th birthday, leaving him to wait 8 long weeks before he could obtain his driver's license. He would rehab and come back ready to play but decided that the chance was too great of sustaining another serious injury. Glenn would go on to become a spectator of his John Tyler Lions. The following year he watched his former team win the football state championship, lead by Earl Campbell. As he grew older, every Saturday and Sunday in the fall was dedicated to his Texas A&M Aggies and the Dallas Cowboys. Rodeo was something else Glenn enjoyed. In high school he signed his parents names on the permission slip in order to take up riding bucking broncos. No broken bones this time, thankfully.

His college career started at Tyler’s local junior college. TJC is where he studied the basics while working two or three jobs at a time to pay his way through college. Glenn finished his first two years at TJC, then completed his college career at his dream university, Texas A&M. Glenn again was studying, along with working several jobs during the summer months and holidays, which was just part of his way of life.

Graduating from college with high honors with a degree in marketing was achieved in December 1979. His hard work began to pay off as he started his business career at a sales job in Houston working for NCR. During his time in Houston he became dissatisfied with his job, so in December 1980 he moved back to Tyler where he worked for Lanier business products. Straight commission sales, again always a hard worker. During this time in his life he was a part of a singles fellowship through Grace Community Church that met at Tom and Linda Madon’s home every Friday. There he was introduced to someone that would be his soul mate, Dori Lininger. The two had several family dinner/dates during this time of his return to Tyler. Then on February 7, 1981 he finally asked her out for a one-on-one date, which continued as a standing date every weekend for the next 9 months. On November 7, 1981, Glenn asked Dori if she would marry him. She responded, "Are you kidding?" Then quickly answered with an emphatic, "YES!" Even though Dori’s parents had not even met Glenn, he assured her he would be calling in the morning and get that part taken care of, and he did!

Glenn and Dori were married April 17, 1982 and enjoyed several years together with just the two of them. Then in 1986 their 1st of 4 sons were born: Benjamin Daniel, then 2 years later-Thomas Richard, then 2-1/2 years-John Harrison and then 3 years-Christian Davis. Glenn loved his boys and worked even harder, since now he was in commercial real estate and still working on straight commission. First for McCaslin Properties, and then for Burns and Noble Real Estate—the company name would be later changed to Burns Commercial Properties. His children's activities were a top priority, he never missed a soccer game, baseball game, basketball game, or tennis match. Just like everything in his life he was committed 100% to his family. We always knew he loved his family unconditionally.

Glenn was a strict father, who was always fair, wanting God's best for his sons. He raised four outstanding men. Men who work hard to support, love, and protect their families just like their father. Glenn led by example. They are men who are fathers themselves to our 8 beautiful grandchildren. Men who love their wives and are focused on their families. Men who honor their parents. Glenn was an example of a faithful servant, and he was willing to lay down his life for those he loved and anyone who was in need of help. We will love him and will miss him forever!

Glenn was preceded in death by his grandparents, Homer and Verdis Eikner, Blake, and Helen Wood, and his mother, Dolly Eikner. Glenn is survived by his wife, Dori Eikner, sons, Benjamin and (Kimberly) Eikner, Thomas and (Liza)Eikner, John and (Keilah) Eikner and Christian Eikner and fiancée, Taylor Johnston. Grandchildren-Kaison Cummings, Kamdyn, and Kyler Eikner, Max and Miles Eikner, Uriyah, Scarlett, and Jedidiah Eikner, his father, Edwin Glenn Eikner, Sr., brother, Steve and (Pam) Eikner and sister, Amy Eikner, as well as many nieces and nephews that he loved very much.

Pallbearers-Benjamin Eikner, Thomas Eikner, John Eikner, Christian Eikner, Taylor Eikner, Jayson Shine and Nicolas Cooke.

-In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Hospice Of East Texas or The Alzheimer’s Alliance of Smith County.

Visitation for Glenn will be held on Monday, October 21st at Tyler Memorial Funeral Home from 5:00-7:00 p.m. A Celebration of his life will be on Tuesday, October 22nd at 10:00 a.m. At Tyler Memorial Funeral Home with burial following in Tyler Memorial Park Cemetery.