Kenneth Stephen Galbreath of Mesa, Arizona, passed away peacefully at the age of 77 on November 27, 2023. Ken was born in Ft. Wayne, Indiana on November 20, 1946, and moved to Arizona as a young boy. He graduated from North High School in Phoenix, AZ and attended Arizona State University before enlisting in the US Army as a Combat Medic in 1968. He served a tour of duty in Vietnam where he was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. While in Vietnam, Ken’s concern for those in need was on full display as he volunteered his medical expertise working with the local, indigenous, Montagnard tribes. He was honorably discharged in 1971. After his time in the Army, Ken joined the Phoenix Police Department, following in the footsteps of his father, Robert Galbreath. Ken was tragically shot in the line of duty in November of 1978 and medically retired in 1980. Ken then returned to the medical profession as a nurse, working for many years at CIGNA Health before finally joining Hospice of the Valley where his compassion for the elderly and those at the end of their lives could be best used. He continued working there until he retired.
Ken loved working on his model trains, NASCAR, and anything to do with the outdoors. He was the Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 110 for many years, influencing multitudes of young men and instructing them on the life skills they would never forget. Mr. G was a fixture at Camp Geronimo each summer during the troop’s weeklong adventures. Ken also spent countless hours with his family on camping, hunting, and fishing trips, teaching his sons, and creating lifelong memories. Whether it was getting sprayed by skunks at Page Springs, downing a rabbit without actually hitting it with a single shot, capturing a tarantula after a late-night catfish outing at Horseshoe Dam, or finding a $100 bill jammed into a cactus in the middle of the desert, you could always count on Ken and his boys to come home with a story, and hopefully some dinner.
Ken is survived by his sons Brian (Sheresa) and Kevin (Andrea), his brothers Alan (Sherry) and Phil (Shirley), and four grandchildren (Kristina, Michael, Taylor, and Gabriel).
A memorial service will be held at 10:00am on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery, located at 7900 E. Main Street, Mesa, AZ. The service will be followed by a reception for family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking you to please consider a donation to either the Disabled American Veterans Disabled American Veterans or to Alzheimer’s/Dementia Research Alzheimer’s research in Ken’s honor.
Ken left a big hole in the many life’s he touched throughout his life. RIP dear Ken, I’ll never forget you and kindness.
To my dear brother-in-law, Ken, who never turned down one of my home cooked meals, especially my chili and Mom’s vegetable soup which we were glad to share. May you rest in peace. Thank you for being “you”.
So sorry to hear of his passing.. God Bless his family.
This season is especially tough to lose a loved one. We pray God’s strength to be with you.