Harry Upton Obituary

Harry "Glenn" Upton
CAMDEN - Harry "Glenn" Upton, age 88, passed away on Friday, July 11, 2025, at Currituck Health and Rehab, after a short hospital stay. Mr. Upton, a native and life-long resident of Camden County, NC, was born May 22, 1937, to the late Maurice Herbert Upton, Sr. and Lucille Belle Lamb Upton. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Shelby Pittman Upton, who passed away in 2017. Surviving are his two siblings, Geraldine Upton of Raleigh, NC, and Maurice Herbert (MH) Upton Jr. of Delaware; two daughters, Glenda Upton Linton of Manteo, NC, and Paige Upton Lewis (Rob) of Poplar Branch, NC; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by a son-in-law, Robert Linton.
As a young man, Mr. Upton served honorably in the North Carolina National Guard. He was employed for twelve years at Ford Motor Company, working at the production facility in Norfolk, VA, from the 1960s to the early 1970s. He eventually retired in 1999 from Norfolk Southern Railroad, where he spent the majority of his career, serving as a bridge tender for twenty-seven years. Mr. Upton was also a skilled automobile mechanic who specialized in auto body restoration, frequently repairing cars and trucks for his friends, family, and neighbors. Glenn was also a contributing member of several fraternal orders, including the Freemasons and Shriners.
While his children were young, Glenn and his family spent many summers camping in Kitty Hawk, NC, where he loved fishing on the Kitty Hawk Fishing Pier, as well as the surf of the Oregon Inlet. His daily catches were often prepared and eaten the same day. An avid gardener, Glenn shared a special connection with his wife, Shelby, in cultivating a large vegetable garden every summer, and they took delight in sharing their harvests with family and friends. Their garden specialty was Silver Queen sweet corn, and the summer harvest became a tradition that the entire family shared. In recent years, as Glenn gathered with his family to celebrate the Christmas holidays, he always enjoyed eating a generous share of a bushel of fresh North Carolina oysters.
Although a private man, Glenn will always be remembered as a kind and loving husband who cared deeply for his wife, children, and grandchildren. At a later date, the family will hold a private memorial service, and internment will occur at New Hollywood Cemetery in Elizabeth City, NC.
Twiford Funeral Homes, 405 E. Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC, is serving the Upton Family. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.TwifordFH.com.