Obituary of George Gerald Galler

George Gerald Galler, 93, passed from this life on March 20, 2013, to be with his Lord for eternity. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Sally McKee Galler of Bastrop; sons, George B. (Beverly) Galler of Baton Rouge, LA, and Fred Galler of Natchez, MS; grandsons, Lance Galler of Natchez, MS, and Ryan (Lyndee) Galler of Waco, TX; and one great-grandchild, Mason Tucker Galler of Waco, TX. George also leaves a brother, Clarence (Dorla) Galler of Winnie, TX, and numerous nieces and nephews. The child of Frederick and Magdalena (Wendland) Galler of Rosenberg, TX, George was born into a large family on December 11, 1919, and christened in the Lutheran Church of Cottonwood, TX in 1920. Ten siblings preceded him in death. His brothers were Edmond, Adolph, Robert, Richard, and Fred. His sisters were Tillie Ganske, Dora Schlitzkus, Lydia Cooper, Gertrude Sims (George's twin), and Carolyn Kemp. George worked at many jobs during his life, and mastered several crafts. Hard work was no stranger to him. He grew up on a farm in Ft. Bend County, TX. As a young man, he worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps, planting trees and building roads in east Texas and in Oregon. He was a tractor driver in Wilmot, AR, in the late 1930s and early 1940s, and it was there he met his future wife, Sally McKee. They were married April 16, 1940 in Parkdale, AR. The couple would have celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary in mid-April. In April of 1943, George joined the U.S. Navy, and served on the USS McCalla, a destroyer, during World War II. He was in naval support of seven invasions in the South Pacific, and was in the last naval fleet battle of the war. He has three battle stars on his Pacific Campaign Medal. At war's end, he returned to his wife and son in Wilmot, and worked as a farmer, later becoming the owner of a dairy. Shortly after the family moved to Bastrop in 1952, George was hired by International Paper Company. He was in the pulp mill of the Louisiana Mill, where he worked his way up to Control Room Operator. He retired in 1982 after 28 years with the company, but his strong work ethic would not allow him to become sedentary. He promptly opened a lawnmower repair business, an enterprise he thoroughly enjoyed. As often as possible, he also worked in his son's pallet factory in Natchez, driving a tractor and forklift. George was a member of Greenacres Baptist Church since the early 1950s. Some of his favorite pastimes were deep-sea fishing, gardening, tractor-driving, attending veterans' reunions, reading about and discussing current events, and spending time with his family. Visitation will take place at Golden Funeral Home of Bastrop, 2016 East Madison Ave., on Friday, March 22, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held at Golden Funeral Home on Saturday, March 23, at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Jerry Price officiating and Bro. Gerald Gates, soloist. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery of Bastrop. Pallbearers are Ryan Galler, John Brodnax, James Grice, Yancy May, Steve McKee and Wayne McKee. Honorary pallbearers are Bernard Blocker, Larry Holland, Roger May, and Douglas Risinger. Flowers are welcome, or should friends desire. memorial contributions may be made to Greenacres Baptist Church of Bastrop, or to the charity of your choice.