Passing of JSEF President Loren McGlade

It is with profound sadness that we mourn the passing of JSEF President Loren D. McGlade. He led this organization as President for 20 years and supported it for much longer. If you knew Loren, you know what a large presence he commanded. He will be greatly missed. His obituary is below.

Loren D. McGlade age 72 passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 7, 2019, while being cared for at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in San Francisco, CA. Loren, like his beloved mother, passed away from issues related to rheumatoid arthritis. His passing was peaceful surrounded by friends and family.

Loren was raised in South Haven, Kansas, completing elementary and high school with a graduating class of just 24. After high school he entered the Navy and stayed for two years. After the Navy, he attended college on the G.I. Bill. He graduated with a degree in accounting. After college, Loren headed to Houston and lived there for many years. He then moved to San Francisco and lived there for most of his adult life.

Loren spent most of his working life at Farmers Insurance as an auditor and then at AIG Insurance. He achieved the status of Vice President at AIG and retired seven years ago. During his life he served in many insurance associations as Secretary, Treasurer, VP and President. He also participated from 1984 until 2011 in the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band as a trumpet player. He held many posts within the Band, most notably Treasurer and President. He also served for many years as the Treasurer of the Lesbian and Gay Band Association (LGBA), and, until his last day, as the President for 20+ years of the Jon Sims Endowment Fund for the Performing Arts. As a musician, Loren attended many of the quadrennial Gay Games and was honored as an Outstanding Cultural Participation at Gay Games VIII in Cologne, Germany in 2010.

Additional honors which Loren received are the Jon Sims Award from the San Francisco Band in 1988 and the “Pillar of Pride” award from LGBA at its 2015 conference in Indianapolis. Those are the highest honors these organizations give.

At age 60, Loren decided to move to San Diego, CA with his then partner Paul Finneseth. Upon retirement he had homes in both Cathedral City, California and Guerneville, California which he shared with Carl Smith, his current husband. During Loren’s retirement he and Carl got into the business of flipping houses in both Guerneville and Wichita, Kansas.

Loren passed away peacefully and without suffering. Upon his death, he was cremated and his ashes will be spread in his favorite places. A memorial will be held at a date to be determined.

Loren was preceded in death by his mother, father, and sister Jean. Surviving Loren is his husband Carl Smith of Cathedral City, CA, Paul Finneseth, former partner San Diego, CA, and many, many friends and extended family. Loren loved to travel, he helped others, and most of all enjoyed life to the fullest. He will be missed by all those who knew and loved him.

For those wishing to send memorials or donations in Loren’s name please send them to the two organizations listed below or a charity of your choice. For those wishing to send condolence cards please send them to Paul Finneseth or Carl Smith at the addresses below.