Roll Call Tribute

Jeffry G. Gleason 
October 27, 1957 - February 10, 2022

Jeffry Glenn Gleason, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle, passed away in Pittsburgh on February 10, 2022.

A resident of Pittsburgh for over 35 years, Jeff was born on October 27, 1957, in Macon, GA to Richard Gleason (Delores) and Joan Serre (Ray).

He received his Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology from Texas A&M at Galveston in 1979. After college, he spent a year with the National Marine Fishery Service, where he tagged sea turtles and was part of a team that designed a turtle excluder device that allows sea turtles to escape when caught in a fisherman’s net. He then started his career with Thermo Fisher Scientific, where he would spend 37 years prior to his retirement.

Jeff was an accomplished runner, having completed 66 ultra-marathons and 30 races of 100+ miles. He ran the Badwater 135 on four occasions and in 2011 accomplished the Grand Slam of Ultra-Marathons. From 2000 to 2021 he logged over 60,000 miles - the equivalent of running around the world almost 2.5 times.

After retirement, Jeff moved on to his true passion of working with animals, joining Animal Friends as a blue-dog volunteer and then being named to the Board of Directors, where he worked on the finance committee. Jeff’s biggest passion though was his family. His priority was always providing for the family and being there for his wife and kids - even when they drove him crazy.

Jeff leaves behind his wife of 41 years, Kelly Tully Gleason; his children, Justin Gleason (Cristalle), Cody Gleason, Lisa Gleason Rea (Scott), and Kevin Gleason; his grandson, Hunter Gleason; his parents, Richard Gleason and Joan Serre; his siblings Rick Gleason (Darlene), Brian Gleason, Kim Jones, Scott Gleason (deceased)(Stephen Gordon), and Cliff Gleason; and his beloved dogs, Heinz and Bruno.

A celebration of Jeff’s life will be held from 1:00-4:00 on Saturday, February 19 at Twelve Oaks Mansion, 160 Scharberry Ln, Mars, PA 16046. Tributes will begin at 1:30. Casual attire is welcome.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Animal Friends at the link below.  

Animal Friends