Sam Galvan Sr.

GALVAN Sam Galvan Sr., beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and uncle, quietly slipped away to be with his Lord on Saturday, March 13, 2010. He was holding his rosary and wearing his scapular.Sam was a devoted family man who was convinced that the sun rose each day to shine on his children and grandchildren. He was happiest when he was surrounded by his large close-knit family whose common bond was a great love for music.Sam was a gifted musician who began playing the cello at the age of 7 in a family band made up of his brothers and sisters. Eventually, he developed his talent in guitar, bass violin and trumpet. Sam's musical talent took him all over Texas and the Southwest, playing with his brothers Ralph, Eddie and Bobby Galvan and their orchestras. He shared his musical abilities with many audiences when he played with such notables as Luis Arcaraz, Skitch Henderson and Jim Nabors. Sam was drafted by the U.S. Army while he was still in high school and served his country during World War II, stationed in Gmond Germany in company I of the 3rd Army Division. While overseas he used his talent as a trumpeter to boost the morale of his fellow soldiers by participating in the U.S. Army Band. Sam received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, where he received the WWII Victory Ribbon, The Good Conduct Medal, the American Theater Ribbon, The Fame Theater Ribbon and the Bronze Service Star.Sam loved American history and pursued this love by enjoying all available classes at Del Mar and Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi. He earned his Associate of Science Degree at Del Mar College.Even though the Big Band Sound was his signature style, Sam was a key figure and an original participant in the Texas Jazz Festival where he participated as one of the Galvan Brothers. With his brothers he was inducted in the South Texas Walk of Fame.Sam married the love of his life, Theresa (Terry) Budd Galvan and together they raised four children and lovingly participated in raising their grandchildren. He mourned his wife's passing for the remainder of his life.Sam was welcomed into heaven by his wife, his parents, Rafael and Virginia Galvan; sisters, Beatrice De La Vina, Rosa Martinez and Virginia Gonzalez and his nephew Ralph Galvan, III, brothers-in-law, Lee Martinez, Johnny Prezas and beloved little angel, Guadalupe Galvan.Sam left behind to cherish his memories by his daughters, Elizabeth (Mike) Rickey, Cynthia Galvan Villarreal and Patty (Carlos) Cardona of Round Rock, Texas; son, Sam (Leticia) Galvan Jr.; 11 grandchildren, Kris Rickey, Isabella Marty Rickey (Brian) Harris, Raymond H. (Nina) Galvan, Alexandrea Valles, Jennifer (Jesse) Caballero, Ginger Maria Villarreal, Richard, Rosanna and Roman Martinez, Sam Galvan III, Ralph Charles Galvan and 12 great-grandchildren; also surviving are his brothers, Ralph (Jeanne) Galvan Jr., Eddie (Nancy) Galvan, Bobby (Alicia) Galvan; sisters, Mamie Oliveira, Patty Prezas and numerous nieces and nephews.Honorary pallbearers will be Ralph Galvan Sr., Eddie Galvan, Bobby Galvan Sr., Lee Martinez, Freddie Martinez Sr., Luis Oliveira Jr., John Edward Prezas, Arnold Gonzalez, Raul Prezas, Bobby Gonzalez, Edward O. Galvan and Bobby Galvan Jr., Gerry Bauer and Jim Burns. He will be lovingly carried by his 6 grandsons.The eulogy will be delivered by his nephews, Lee Martinez Jr., and Bobby Gonzalez. In Galvan tradition, nephew, Freddie Martinez Sr. will sing his original heartfelt song for his Uncle Sammy. Also, granddaughter, Marty will sing a song in her grandfather's honor.Visitation was held from 3:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at Funeraria Del Angel-Memorial Holly, with the Holy Rosary Recited at 7:30 p.m. the same evening.A funeral mass will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Rose Hill Memorial Park.