Arden Galarde

 

Arden Galarde, son of the late Arden and Gloria Galarde has taken his last earthly journey to reside in a most glorious heavenly place. He loved life and the people he encountered along the way and cherished his friends and family. He is leaving behind “his girls” - wife Bonnie, Natalie Norwood, Kirby Tallent (Jeff) and grandson Arden, and Meagan Cagle (Bryan). He is also survived by his sister Camille Lancaster (Jim) and nieces and nephews. He enjoyed a long career as a teacher in Union County, NC. In fact, he was there so long that some teasingly called him the “Mayor of Parkwood Middle School”. He taught Health and Physical Education as well as Driver Education. He coached various sports over the years including football in Charlotte-Mecklenburg, basketball and golf.  He loved being there for his players and hoped to help them grow to be their very best. He kept in touch with many over the years and always enjoyed hearing from them. He looked for ways to help others, spending many hours contemplating the best ways to serve. He worked diligently to organize mentoring groups and character building opportunities, golf tournaments, scholarships and fund raisers to assist those in need in the community. He was always willing to lend a helping hand when someone needed assistance.

He appreciated the opportunity to reconnect with his old school buddies as well as his former students and colleagues and cherished the long talks of memories of days gone by.

Thank you for making his life rewarding and memorable for him. He would want everyone to know how grateful he was and how much you will each be missed. In true Arden fashion he would say to you

 “Happy Trails to you until we meet again!” 

A service led by J Lynn Coble and Larry Stinson to celebrate his life will be held at Roanoke Baptist Church at a later date in Union County, NC.

Donations to Roanoke Baptist Church, 618 Roanoke Church Road, Monroe, NC 28110-9496, in care of pastor J Lynn Coble can be made in his honor to give assistance to needs in the community including the Wings of Love mission which provides gas cards to families of children in Levine Children's Hospital or to The Blessing Cart which provides resources and leadership to families and youth in need in the community.