Tributes

Ralph “Norman” McGlothlin, 93, of San Antonio died peacefully Sunday, January 21st, 2024. He was born on October 6, 1930 as the only child to Ralph and Agnes McGlothlin in Palacios, Texas. Norm grew up in Bay City, Texas where he went to high school and ended up serving as captain of the basketball team. Upon graduation he attended Baylor University where he studied pre-med. During Christmas break of his sophomore year he enlisted in the Air Force and was stationed in California. While home on leave in 1952 he proposed to his high school sweetheart, Sidney Dierlam. They were married that summer on June 28, 1952 and packed everything they owned in a car and moved back to California. After his discharge in 1954 they moved to Austin for him to attend the University of Texas studying Chemical Engineering. Upon graduation in 1958 he took a job in Dumas Texas as a chemical engineer for Shamrock Oil & Gas. He eventually worked his way up to Chief Chemist for the refinery and was responsible for blending all the gasoline produced in the refinery. They moved to Amarillo, TX in 1969 and he worked there until 1983, when he was transferred to San Antonio. He finished his career with Diamond Shamrock in San Antonio after 38 years with the company. Norman loved fishing at the Texas coast and Lake LBJ. They moved to Lake LBJ after his retirement and he often said that his 10 years living at Lake LBJ were the happiest of his life. While there he built an extensive woodworking shop and spent hours making anything from wooden wine bottle holders to furniture for his grand kids. He often said that he was going to “go make some sawdust”. He would make annual trips to the Texas coast to go fishing for his birthday as long as health allowed it. He is survived by his wife of 71 years Sidney Dierlam McGlothlin. He is also survived by son Mark McGlothlin and his wife Mary Ellen McGlothlin of Celina, son Matt McGlothlin and his wife Barbara Barnett McGlothlin of San Antonio, grandchildren Jake McGlothlin of Livingston Montana, Jess McGlothlin of Missoula Montana, Hope McGlothlin of Tyler Texas, and Janae McGlothlin of Grapevine Texas. He also has two great grandchildren, Brantley and Mariah. A memorial service will be held Monday, March 11, 2024 at 10am at Coker Methodist Church in San Antonio, TX. In lieu of flowers please consider a gift to St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

Tributes

Ralph "Norman" McGlothlin

October 6, 1930 - January 21, 2024