Obituary of Thomas F. Galey
Thomas F. Galey, age 77, of Garnett, Kansas, passed away on Sunday, May 1, 2016, at St. Luke's Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri.
Tom was born on January 10, 1939, in Kansas City, Missouri. Tom was the youngest of four children born to William Leroy and Isabel M. (Whitehurse) Galey. He grew up in Kansas City where he attended St. Francis Xavier Grade School before graduating from Bishop Hogan High School in 1956. After graduating from high school, he attended the University of Missouri before entering the United States Marine Corp. Tom served two years in the Marines before being honorably discharged at the rank of Lance Corporal. He was proud of his country and his service. He returned to Kansas City after his time in the service. He worked at various jobs before going to work at GM where he met his future wife, Diedra "DeDe" Borders. They were married on September 22, 1962, in Kansas City, Missouri. This union was blessed with four children. They made their home in Kansas City until moving to Garnett, Kansas in 1972 when they purchased Galey's Processing Plant. Tom and DeDe operated the locker plant until 1989. They also owned and operated Galey's Deli in Garnett. Tom then managed the smokehouse department for Hen House / Price Chopper in Kansas City for several years until his retirement.
Tom was an avid Chiefs fan, and was a member of the Wolfpack. He was especially proud of personally seeing the Chiefs play in Superbowl I. He loved all of the time that his family was able to spend together at the Lake of the Ozarks where they enjoyed boating and fishing. He loved to socialize with friends, perhaps because he never met a stranger. He has many fond memories of trips to Las Vegas and fishing trips to Canada. He loved his children and grandchildren immensely but his St. Bernard dogs were not far behind. He was a member of Holy Angels Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, Garnett Optimist Club, Garnett Lion's Club, Holy Angels school council, and various professional associations from his time in the business of meat processing. Tom will be remembered as the ornery man with the quick wit and the giant St. Bernard in the tiny car.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Dede Galey on August 12, 1993; his parents; a brother, William Galey Jr.; and a sister, Sally Williams.
Tom is survived by his children, Michelle Cunningham and husband Nate of Greeley, Kansas, Craig Galey of Garnett, Tarrie Miller and husband Josh of Garnett, Nick Galey and wife Amy of Greeley, Kansas; nine grandchildren, Tori Cunningham, Seth and Tyler Wolken, Holli, Ashton, Heidi and Cambree Miller, Fisher and Brooke Galey; brother, Jon Galey of Kansas City, Missouri; and brother in law, Jim Borders Jr. of Pomona, Kansas.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM, Wednesday, May 4, 2016, at Holy Angels Catholic Church in Garnett, Kansas. Burial will follow in the Holy Angels Cemetery. The family will greet friends following the Rosary at 7:00 PM, Tuesday evening at Holy Angels Church. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Rose School. Condolences to the family may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.