Galen E. Ward |
| Posted 2022-03-05 by mhenderson |
| Published by Mohave Daily News Online on Mar. 2, 2022 - Bullhead City, Arizona - Galen E. Ward, age 87, a resident of Bullhead City, Arizona passed away after a battle with leukemia and Alzheimer's on Thursday, February 17, 2022. Galen was born in 1934 to Edith (Pearl) Anderson Ward and Leo Bryant Ward of McPherson, Kansas. He was, according to his mother, an outstanding basketball player at McPherson High School. Galen was a Boy Scout and earned the rank of Eagle Scout, which was one of his proudest accomplishments. He entered Kansas State University after his mother completed his admissions application to their Civil Engineering program. While at K-State, he became a lifelong member of Sigma Nu fraternity and enjoyed driving around with his fraternity brothers in an old hearse. He spent his summers working with his father at McPherson's oil refinery. He graduated with a Geophysical Engineering degree and was employed by GSI in New Orleans, where his daughters, Sidne and Jackie, were born. He was later transferred to Norman, Oklahoma. While there, he enrolled in law school and discovered his true professional calling. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma Law School and went to work for Phillips Petroleum Company in Oklahoma City. Galen met his future wife, Jan, and daughter, Sally, in 1981 in Norman. After a trip to California Wine Country in 1983, Galen and Jan embarked upon an appreciation of wine and began collecting; they had a particular fondness for Jordan from the Alexander Valley. To this day family and friends enjoy the bottles they collected. In 1993, Galen retired from Phillips Petroleum Company as Regional Chief Attorney. In 1996 Galen and Jan moved west to Bullhead City in search of a more relaxed lifestyle, although they quickly became more active than ever. They enthusiastically adopted their new home, both becoming involved contributors to the community. Galen quickly developed a reputation as an attorney representing those in need of assistance in the area of parental and children's rights. Ever willing to assist clients in need, at times he accepted compensation in the form of a pan of lasagna or even live chickens. Galen had a deep appreciation for those who have served and first responders. In their honor, Galen regularly could be found tying yellow and blue ribbons around the palms near the police and fire stations. Galen was a passionate supporter of OU sports, particularly football (unless OU was playing K-State)! He was an avid reader and loved books, geography, and history. He followed news and politics and enjoyed debating, always with respect for others' viewpoints. Galen's sense of humor was legendary; his deadpan delivery of one-liners constantly amused those who knew him. Galen was an only child and his parents, particularly Pearl, doted on him. He was a devoted son, taking care of each of them as they aged. Family was central to much of Galen's life. He didn't always approve of the antics of his daughters, but he was always their strongest supporter. Galen instilled his daughters with a love of travel, a strong sense of self-reliance and confidence, and a thirst for knowledge while serving as a stabilizing influence. He affectionately dubbed his daughters "Daughter of the World," "Daughter of the Mountains," and "Daughter of the North." They hope he has achieved his lifelong goal of being 6'4" (he was 5'9" in life) and playing backcourt for the Boston Celtics. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jan Ward; and his parents, Pearl and Leo Ward. Galen is survived by his longtime companion, Donna Faulkner; his daughters, Sidne Gail Ward (Christopher Jackson), Jacquelyn Sue Sunshine, and Sally Denise Robertson (Craig Robertson); and his grandchildren, Adam Maxwell Sunshine, Alexis Leah Sunshine, Erin Katherine Sunshine, John Paul Robertson and Brennan Thomas Robertson; as well as his favorite, Swizzle the cat. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to the Alzheimer's Association. A private memorial was held for family and friends on Thursday, February 24, 2022. |
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