Robert Joseph Galloway

Robert Joseph “Joe” Galloway died peacefully at the home of his daughter, Darlene Rader, in Farmington, Utah, on March 12, 2018, at the age of 92.

Joe was born January 3, 1926 in Pocatello, Idaho, to Robert and Matilda Kidd Galloway, the fourth of their seven children.  He was a quick student and planned to go to college, a dream that did not materialize due to the death of his father when Joe was ten years old.  He and his siblings had to work to help support the large family while finishing their schooling.  Joe graduated with high marks from Pocatello High School in 1944, even though he received his diploma in absentia because he had already reported for duty to the Army Air Corp to serve in Brazil, South America, during World War II.  Upon his return, he married his sweetheart, Norma Woodland, on May 7, 1947, in the Idaho Falls, ID Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  In 15 years their family grew to include six children.  Norma passed away unexpectedly in 1962, and Joe married Lola Byington Burt of Pocatello, on April 12, 1963. This marriage increased the number of children by four, and in 1964 Joe, Lola, and the family welcomed a daughter, making a grand total of 11 children.  Joe adopted Lola’s children and the couple, together with their children, were sealed for time and eternity June 23, 1965, in the Idaho Falls Temple.  Joe and Lola were together for 52 years before she passed away in 2015.

Joe learned the value of hard work, regularity, and dependability in his first full-time job on a dairy farm, becoming trained in all aspects of the business from milking the cows to keeping the books and preparing and selling the milk.  He was only 12, but the lessons learned served him for the rest of his life.  At age 16 he was hired by the Union Pacific Railroad where he worked the night shift so he could attend high school by day.  He eventually moved on to become a salesman, selling everything from pots and pans, to cars, and finally settling on insurance.  The demands of a large family kept him moonlighting with the UP Railroad for many years. He spent most of his life in Idaho and Utah, except for a few years in the 1970’s when the family lived in Colonial Heights, VA.

He was an active participant in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all his life, and served in many Priesthood, leadership, and teaching callings.  He also inherited the Galloway gene for musical talent and taught himself to play the guitar and harmonica. He had a large repertoire of country-western songs and railroad ballads, but especially loved hymns sung in 4-part harmony, a talent and love he passed on to his children. 

He is survived by his children, Sharon Dayley (Gerald), Robert A. Galloway (Brenda),  Marilyn McGinty (Michael),  Carol Ann Theurer (Craig),  Michael J. Galloway (LaDeane) and (Leslie, dec.),  Roger D. Galloway (Robyn) and (Penny, dec.),  Carol Jeanne Verrier (Ted), Diane Balch (Calvin),  Kevin E. Galloway (Sheri),  and Darlene Rader (Paul);  his sister, Rachel June Galloway Christiansen (Merlin, dec.);  over 50 grandchildren and more than 100 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by one daughter, Laura Lee Shirley (Owen); his parents; three brothers; one half-brother; two sisters; and one half-sister.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 20, 2018, at 10 am in the Shepard Creek Ward, 1533 North 1075 West, Farmington, UT, 84025, with Bishop Tom Weeks presiding.   

A viewing will be held Monday evening, March 19, 2018, from 6 to 8 pm, also at the Shepard Creek Ward building. A viewing and family prayer will be held before the funeral at 9 am at the same location.  

After the funeral services, burial will be in Pocatello, ID, at Restlawn Memorial Gardens, 2864 S. 5th Ave.  at 3 pm.

Colonial Funeral Home, Pocatello, ID, is caring for Robert’s family along with assistance from Russon Brothers Mortuary, Farmington, UT.  Condolences may be made at www.colonial-funeralhome.com