Upon graduation from high school in 1944, Al joined the U.S. Army and served in Germany, France, Belgium, Switzerland and England. He returned to Chicago in 1947 and worked for a time as a postal employee.

 

On May 4, 1947, Al's father and the four children were baptized Catholics. Mrs. Glanton maintained her membership with the Baptist Church. Al was attracted to religious life and entered the Society of the Divine Word (S.V.D.) postulate at Techny, Illinois. As a postulant, he worked in the community tailor shop making religious habits. Very shortly, Al decided that his ministry was among people and not in the tailor shop. He was attracted to the Marianists through an advenisement in the Sacred Heart Messenger. Brother Albert made his first profession as a Marianist on September 12, 1951 in Galesville, Wisconsin. Scholastic formation was completed at St. Mary's University, San Antonio, Texas, where Al graduated with a B.A. in English in 1954.

 

My acquaintance and friendship with Albert began at St. Mary's University during his scholasticate. I was a lay student and we first met in a World Literature Course. Al was a very impressive student and his magnetic personality and religious spirit were attractive to me. This was the beginning of a long, intimate and fraternal friendship.

 

From 1954 to 1968, Albert served in two schools in the St. Louis area, St. Mary's High School and William Cullen McBride High School. Al distinguished himself as a teacher of English, Debate, Spanish, and Religious Studies. He served as chairman of the English department in each school, coordinated many student activities, and served on administrative and academic councils. Al received an M.A. in English from DePaul University in Chicago and pursued further studies in English, Journalism, Film, and Religious Studies at Notre Dame, St. Louis University, St. Mary's and Marquette Universities.

 

Albert was a man of faith, a man of strong conviction, a man intensely interested in the needs and concerns of others. Al possessed a keen sensitivity to the global concerns of black people. He worked feverishly to meet these concerns within the context of Marianist ministry. Obstacles within community and without seemingly beset him on every side. His initiative was not to be stilled.

 

During the turbulent sixties, Al became a "trailblazer" and a champion in the civil rights movement. Al was on fire with a determination to work at the development of positive images and discipline in black young men and women. Not only did Al work to sensitize his Marianist confreres to the pressing needs and concerns of Black ministry, but he was also involved with sensitizing the Archdiocese of St. Louis. Al was impassioned in his thirst for justice for the many young men and women of color whom he felt were greatly neglected by professed Christians and religious. His ministry took him to Webster College as a consultant in Black Studies, to Providence High School as a Curriculum Specialist in Black Studies, to Lindenwood College as an instructor in Black literature and to Forest Park Community College as an assistant professor of Afro-American Studies. In addition to these activities, Al shared his talents and expertise with local and national groups which advocated like principles in the areas of racial equality and justice.In 1969, Al opened an alternative school and shelter for a few Black youths in the St. Louis area. Al moved forward with intensity, often fearful, but never looking back, with or without the "blessing" of superiors.

 

In 1972, Albert accepted from the diocese of Cleveland a ministry and a challenge to coordinate the merger of two black elementary parish schools. St. Aloysius and St. Agatha. The merger was successfully accomplished in 1974. Al then desired to return to a S.M. community setting and accepted a labor of love at St. Michael's High School in Chicago.

 

Acting upon an invitation from Fr. Bertrand Clemens, then Principal of Junipero Serra High School in Gardena, Al joined the Gardena community in 1977. Personally, I don't believe I have witnessed Al in a happier setting than in his apostolate at Gardena. Living in community and working with Al was a great and unique joy. He was loved, admired and respected by his religious community, the school community and the greater community of Gardena. Brother Al was looked upon as a man of principle, a man of generosity, a man who shared, and a man who gave himself unselfishly to the needs of the people whom he served and loved.

 

His gifts were unique, but in no way restrictive. Al's unique ability to touch lives embraced his religious community, the St. Louis and the Pacific provinces, and his apostolates. Al's ministry, love and concern had few limitations. The beautiful tributes and testimonies so warmly expressed by former and present students attested to the Marianist spirit and the influence Al had upon others.

Al died unexpectedly of heart disease in the course of a minor operation in the 60th year of his age and the 34th of his religious profession. He had just transferred from the St. Louis to the Pacific Province of the Society in the year preceding his death.

 

-Bro. Edwin Johnson, S.M.