Glen Alan Stroud, affectionately known as “Poppa” by most who knew and loved him, passed away peacefully at home on September 13, 2026, at the age of 68.

Glen was born August 27, 1958, in Hot Springs, Arkansas, to Clarence and Violet Stroud. He was raised in the Hot Spring County area and graduated from Magnet Cove High School in 1976. After many years of hard work, Glen retired from Alliance Rubber Company in Hot Springs.

He had a creative spirit, a generous heart, and a lifelong love of bringing people together. Along with his brother, Bobby, Glen was a founding member of both the HSC Southern Classics Car Club and the Diamond State Riders Motorcycle Club. Through countless car and motorcycle shows, the clubs raised money that was donated to charities throughout the community, combining his love of cars and motorcycles with something even more important to him—helping others.

For 25 years, Glen served as the creative technical coordinator for the READ Program’s annual Haunted House, the largest fundraiser for the Literacy Council of Hot Spring County. What began as a local event grew into an attraction that brought visitors from across the United States. Year after year, he poured his creativity, ingenuity, and countless hours into making each Haunted House an experience people would remember.

That creativity carried into nearly everything Glen did. He was a crafty soul and a wonderful woodworker who especially enjoyed making things for the people he loved. He loved hunting, fishing, camping, college football, and—above all—cheering on his beloved Arkansas Razorbacks.

Perhaps one of Glen’s greatest joys was serving as Santa Claus for foster children, various churches, and other children throughout the community. He had a special way of creating a little Christmas magic, and the happiness he brought to those children brought just as much joy to him.

Glen’s greatest and longest-lasting love story began in 1974, when he met and fell in love with his high school sweetheart, Cindy. It only took them 26 years to actually get married. Through all the years between and all the years that followed, their story remained uniquely theirs. On August 17, 2026, Glen and Cindy celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary—a milestone made even more meaningful by the more than half-century of history, memories, and love they shared.

Glen was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Violet Stroud; his brother, Bobby Gene Stroud; sister, Carolyn Anne Stroud; his brothers-in-law, Eddie Kruse and Lonnie Byrd; and his great-grandson, Jaylyn Danner.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Cindy; his sons, Nick Stroud, Jimmy (Ashley) Stroud, Derrick (Xarisse) Stroud, Micheal Marin, and Chris (Caleighanna) Marin; his daughter, Amanda (Don) Hogan; his granddaughter, Luna Marin; and his sisters, Rita Kruse and Linda Byrd. Glen was blessed with 24 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, along with countless others whose lives were touched by the man so many simply knew and loved as “Poppa.”

Glen leaves behind more than the things he made with his hands or the organizations and events he helped build. He leaves behind decades of memories—the roar of motorcycles and classic cars, hunting and fishing stories, Razorback football, haunted houses filled with screams and laughter, handmade gifts created for people he loved, and generations of children who had the chance to believe in a little Christmas magic because Poppa put on a red suit and became Santa.

Most of all, he leaves behind a family who had the privilege of calling him husband, Dad, Poppa, brother, and friend. His creativity, generosity, humor, and love will live on in the stories that are told, the things he created, the traditions he helped begin, and the many lives he touched along the way.

A service celebrating Glen’s life will be held Thursday, September 17, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at Open Heavens Church, 1702 E. Page Ave. in Malvern. Family and friends are invited to gather together to remember and celebrate a life that gave so much to so many.

Arrangements are by Regency Funeral Home. You may sign the guest book at regencyfuneralhome.com.