Lee Galbraith

Throughout his long and fruitful life, there was nothing Lee Galbraith treasured more than his family. He was a loving husband, dedicated father, and wonderful grandfather who was a constant presence in the lives of his grandchildren. Lee believed in the value of hard work, yet he also found time to have some fun doing the things he truly enjoyed. A man who courageously faced his challenges, Lee will be remembered for his perseverance and desire to live a life he could be proud of. He leaves behind a beautiful mosaic of memories that will be forever held near and dear to the hearts of those who loved him.

The 1920s were a vibrant time in America as new innovation and advancements in technology were taking us places we had never been. The year 1925 was nestled within this unprecedented time and is remembered as the year in which Calvin Coolidge became the first President of the United States to have his inauguration broadcast over the airwaves. This was the year that “The Great Gatsby” was published and the Chrysler Corporation was founded while prosperity dominated the lives of many in America. It was a year to be remembered for the family of Fred and Lucy (Holliday) Galbraith since it was on August 13th that they welcomed the birth of their son, Lee Austin. Born in Thompsonville, Illinois, Lee was the younger of two boys in his family including his older brother, Lowell. His father was a coal miner and a farmer while his mother was a homemaker. Lee attended a one-room schoolhouse during his elementary school years and went on to Galatia High School.

After graduating from high school in 1942, Lee joined the military as WWII raged on overseas. He served in the Navy as a mechanic aboard the USS Intrepid, a ship that participated in several campaigns during the war as part of the Pacific Theater of Operations.

Not long after returning from overseas, Lee moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan, for work. As fate would have it, a young woman and former classmate from high school named Mary Sue Gasaway also relocated from Illinois to Michigan for work. Although they didn’t date while in high school, Lee called Mary Sue to ask her out on a date once they were both Michiganders. Their first date led to another and after dating for three months, the couple married on August 11, 1951, in Lee’s grandmother’s living room back in their hometown in Illinois. Together they were blessed with two daughters, Jan and Kathy. In order to provide for his family, Lee worked in heavy equipment at a variety of businesses as an operating engineer.

Throughout his life, Lee enjoyed a diverse palette of interests. He was a member of the Operating Engineer Local 324 for over 55 years, and he was also a lifetime member of the Masonic Lodge, the Shriners, and VFW Post #5855. Lee loved to play cards including cribbage, pinochle, and poker, and he also liked mushroom hunting, hunting, and fishing. He had a smokehouse for many years and did his fair share of smoking both hams and loins. Lee enjoyed some southern gospel and country music from time to time, and he also was a friend of Bill W.

Although Lee enjoyed pursuing his interests, there was never anything of greater importance to him than his family. Jan’s husband died while their children were still very young and as a result, Lee served as both a father figure and a role model to his grandchildren. He spent time with them, impressing his wisdom upon them and providing them with the opportunity to establish a strong work ethic by giving them chores to do around his house. Lee’s grandsons will never forget the times they were busy pulling weeds in their grandfather’s garden. They also enjoyed a trip they took with their grandpa up north, crossing over the Mackinac Bridge and sightseeing in the Upper Peninsula. Kathy and her family spent a lot of time mushroom hunting with Lee in the Mancelona area. He also shared special relationships with some of his nieces and nephews.

As we reflect on the life of Lee Galbraith, words such as fun-loving, hard-working, and valiant seem to come to the surface. He was intentional in the way he lived his life and always strived to put his best foot forward. A family man through and through, Lee was blessed to share nearly 60 years with his true love with whom he shared a remarkable journey through both peaks and valleys. A true gift to those around him, Lee will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.

Lee A. Galbraith of Vicksburg died on Monday, December 27, 2010. Lee’s family includes: his wife Mary Sue; two daughters: Jan Dekker, of Portage; Kathy (Don) Dalman, of Scotts; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; and many special nieces and nephews. Lee was preceded in death by his parents and brother Lowell Galbraith. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 4 -7 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, 409 S. Main St., Vicksburg (649-1697). Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 11:30 a.m. at the same location. Please visit Lee’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can sign his memory book online before coming to the funeral home or make a memorial donation to the Borgess VNA Home Health and Hospice and/or St. Andrew Community Church.