Joseph Lee Galyon

1944 - 2011

On Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2011, Joseph Lee Galyon was at his home in the country outside of Rhome when our Heavenly Father called him home. Celebration of life: A celebration of Joe's life was attended by immediate family in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, where his ashes were laid to rest, on Friday, Sept. 9, 2011. Joe was born on Aug. 12, 1944, in Lubbock. He graduated from Muleshoe High School in Muleshoe and went on to join the Army. He served during the Vietnam War and even went back to Vietnam as a civilian working under a military contract to maintain our Army's helicopters. Upon returning to the states, he continued to work in the aviation industry in the Dallas-Forth Worth area, Washington state, Amarillo and even Saudi Arabia. Joe was never very fond of school, but found his passion in working on airplanes. He studied hard and became a top-rated aviation mechanic with American Airlines and at times instructed others. In 2006 he retired from a 20-plus-year career of working on the "big jets" with American Airlines. Even though he was based at DFW, he had been known to be sent to a location to repair a plane on site at a moment's notice. Joe enjoyed collecting and shooting firearms. Vacation time was either spent with family or on a beach enjoying the sun, sand and water. From a very young age, Joe developed a love for being outdoors and was always looking for a new adventure. Survivors: Joe is survived by his mother, Juanita Galyon of Yuma, Ariz.; siblings, Tim Galyon of Midland, Paul Galyon of Yuma, Ariz., Annetta Fincher of Gilbert, Ariz., David Townsend of Apache Junction, Ariz., Susan Kauffman of Levelland and Rhonda Baldridge of Levelland; daughters, Joy Hervey of Mineral Wells and Tracey Galyon of Forth Worth; and four grandchildren.