JOSEPH OSCAR GALBRAITH, JR.

(Caller Times Obituary - leave a tribute)

(Dallas Morning News Obituary)

Joe Galbraith, 94, died peacefully Tuesday September 4th at the home of Reyna Navarrete, who had been providing around the clock care for the past several months, leaving a legacy of leadership and inspiration to those that love and serve their fellow man.  Joe Galbraith was born February 23, 1913 to Mr. and Mrs. J. O. (Dovie Louise Scott) Galbraith in Hillsboro, Texas. He had a brother Frederick Louis Galbraith who was 2 years and 5 days younger [deceased]. There was another brother who died when he was 10 days old.

He was christened as an infant in the First Presbyterian Church in Hillsboro. He joined the Presbyterian Church there at the age of 7. He was a graduate of Hillsboro High School and attended Hillsboro Junior College. He joined Boy Scout Troop 2, sponsored by the Lions Club as a 12 year old in 1925 and was a member 10 years. He earned his Eagle Scout award with five palms and served in leadership positions in the Troop during those years. He was a member of DeMolay.

He married Alice Lexxea Matthews of Port Arthur, Texas April 16, 1939. Born to this couple were a son Gary in 1940 and a daughter, Mary Jo in 1942. They have three grand-daughters, Mollie, Mona Melissa and Laurie Lynn. They had a grandson, Joe Matthews Hines, who died in 1994 at age 32, a son in law Donald Hebert and a niece Anne Galbraith Wisdom.

Joe began his service as a Professional Scouter at the age of 22 in 1935 and retired 42 years later in 1978.  The next day he was hired as a consultant and he continued in that role until 2002.  He worked for the BSA under every Chief Scout Executive from James E. West to Roy L. Williams.  His 45th National Training School was visited by British founder of Scouting, Lord Baden Powell during a visit to the USA.

He attended National Jamboree in 1937 and 1950. He was a Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow, a graduate of Wood Badge Training and was a member of the Antelope Patrol.  He was a graduate of the 45th National Training School in New Jersey. He was honored to receive the BSA's James E. West Fellowship Award and a Campsite is named in his honor at Camp Karankawa. 

He was a song leader since he was a Scout and leads singing at his church, Scouting meetings and his Rotary Club and District Rotary Conferences over the years. He led the Pledge of Allegiance at United Way luncheons and at Chamber of Commerce breakfast meetings for many years.

He served as a Deacon and also as an Elder in several Presbyterian churches where the Galbraiths attended. He was a member and Elder of the First Presbyterian church in Robstown, Texas. He was a life member of the Knife and Fork Club.

He was a member of the West Corpus Christi Rotary Club and held memberships in six other Rotary Clubs during his various assignments over the past 66 years. His Rotary Club honored him with the Paul Harris Fellowship Award.  He was the official song leader in his West Rotary Club and Rotary District 5930.  He is also well known for his song leading in the old South Central Region of the BSA and the enthusiasm he brings to every gathering. 

The Family would like to thank his primary care giver Rena Navarrete and the Vista Home Health Care hospice workers: Denise Swank, April Ortiz, Wilma Hunt and Paulette Mayfield who made his last months a comfortable, dignified and loving experience.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the South Texas Council's Campership Fund which provides assistance to needy scouts who might not otherwise be able to attend camp. 

A funeral service will be held at Seaside Funeral Home on Saturday, September 8th at 1:00 P.M.  Visitation will be at Seaside from 3:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. on Friday, September 7th.  Internment will be at 2:00 P.M., Monday, September 10th in Park Ridge Cemetery in Hillsboro, Texas.

God Bless America… and God Bless Joe Galbraith!  We are all richer having known this good man!

________________________________________________

MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR
JOSEPH GALBRAITH, JR.
September 8, 2007
Seaside Funeral Home
Corpus Christi, Texas
by Charles W. Zahn, Jr.

On behalf of Joe's family, I would like to thank each of you for your calls, your notes and letters, your visits, and your expressions of concern, all shown or given during this extremely difficult time over the past several months. More than that though, I want to thank you for your thoughts and prayers for Joe. Many many of Joe's friends and colleagues responded to the request that e-mails of support be forwarded to Reyna, his caregiver. She read each one to Joe and I can assure you that these outward expressions were a source of comfort for Joe as he took his long journey to be with his Father in Heaven.

My name is Charlie Zahn and I have the honor and privilege of serving as the Chairman of the Board of the South Texas Council of the Boy Scouts of America. As a member of the South Texas Council for over 37 years I have had the privilege of associating with Joe as a member of our Scouting family as we worked to provide a program of Scouting to the 17 county area that makes up our Council. You and I lost a friend last Tuesday morning. But I can take comfort in knowing that Corpus Christi is a better place because he chose to make it his home. I can also take comfort in knowing that each one of us is a better person because we knew Joe and shared with him his passion for his God, for Scouting and for Rotary. Also, many thousands of boys have become good citizens and will be our leaders of tomorrow because Joe came into their lives and guided them along a path whose foundation is the principles found in the Scout Oath and the Scout Law.

I want to spend a few minutes this afternoon talking about Joe and the influence he has had on us and the community he loved and called home. Joe and I worked side by side for many years with activities that involved working with the youth of our community through the value based programs of the Boy Scouts of America. We were also Rotarians in the communities we live in and as such traveled throughout Rotary District 5930 attending functions that were an integral part of the mission of Rotary and that is helping others. We live in a nation where the values found in the Scout Oath and the Scout Law need to be taught to every young person. We live in a nation where every young person needs to have a strong moral and ethical foundation so that that young person will become a good citizen as well as one of tomorrow's leaders. We also live in a nation where those who interact with our youth must posses the same qualities and live by the same standards that we expect our youth to live by.

Scouting was created in England in 1907-1908 by General Robert Baden-Powell, a military officer who wrote a book about military scouting called Aids to Scouting. After Britain's Boer War, he discovered that his military book was being used to guide outdoor activities all over the country by youth leaders and teachers. Baden-Powell saw how successful this program was so he rewrote his book to cater to a peaceful movement calling it Scouting for Boys. The program utilizing this book was the beginning of Scouting as we know it today.

On February 10, 1910, William Boyce, a Chicago publisher organized the Boy Scouts of America. The Scouting program in the United States was centered around the principles found in the Scout Oath and the Scout Law and was successful because of two ingredients: one was a vigorous outdoor program that draws boys into the program and the other is good leadership that keeps them in the program. When Scouting adopted the principles found in the Scout Oath and the Scout Law and asked that those in a leadership position live their lives around these principles, they must have used Joe Galbraith as a model. When one recites the Scout Law as we did in our responsive reading a little while ago anyone that knew Joe knows that the principles set forth in those 12 points described how Joe lived his life. Not only did they establish how he lived his life, they established the standards that he expected all who he came in contact with to live by.

The 12 words in the Scout Law describe the type of person Joe was, but I believe there are several others that also describe him. Joe possessed a deep seeded love for the outdoors. He loved nature and the opportunity the outdoors gave him to interact with the youth that he influenced over the past 80 years. It provided a positive experience to these youth as he taught them skills that would later help them to be productive members of society. Even though Joe's health was declining, Joe, at age 94, provided another group of young men an opportunity to share his wisdom, his love for the outdoors and his love for all that Scouting represents as he spent a week camping at Camp Karankawa on Lake Corpus Christi in June of this year. I think you would agree with me that Joe's love of the outdoors was an important part of who Joe was.

Another word that described Joe was the word commitment. Joe's was deeply committed to his wife Lexxea for over 60 years. The love and devotion he displayed was evident in all that they did together. He was also committed to his God, serving in various capacities in his church. Since Joe spent his whole life helping others it would stand to reason that for over 50 years he was committed to Rotary International, an organization whose goal is to help others. And of course he was committed to Scouting and its goal of developing youth through the use of a program based on values. Joe was in Scouting for 82 years as a boy, a professional, a Scoutmaster and as a consultant for the South Texas Council. His wife had to also be devoted to Scouting because it was in a Scout office where she was working in Beaumont, Texas that he first met her. She knew what Scouting was about because of her job, yet still married him knowing that he too was involved in the program. There are several in the room here today who can say that they have been involved in Scouting for over 50 years. I had the honor 2 years ago to sit with Joe at the Council's annual recognition banquet when he was honored for 80 years of service to Scouting. In fact I held the 80 year pin in my hand before we gave it to Joe. Commitment was indeed an important part of who Joe was.

The word friend was important to Joe. Everywhere I traveled with Joe people would come up to me and tell me about the first time they met Joe and how he made them feel like they had known him and been his friend for years. Joe always had a kind word for anyone and everyone he came in contact with. For years the South Texas Council has utilized facilities in Port Aransas and Rockport that Linda and I are associated with for planning retreats. Joe was responsible for the co-ordination of those events with members of our staff on many of those occasions. Like you and I, our staff at Island Retreat or the Sandollar loved Joe. They said he always had a smile on his face, always had something nice to say and that he complimented them for anything that they did for him or for those who participated in the retreat. Each time I spoke with Joe he would always ask me about how "his girls in Port A" were doing. They sent him a congratulatory note on the occasion of his 80th year in Scouting and like all of us are saddened at the loss of their dear friend. He also always had a friendly greeting for those of us who worked with him in Scouting. Even though he did so much for the youth of the communities that we live in himself, he never saw any of us involved in Scouting without stopping to shake our hand and saying "Mister - thanks for all you do for the boys!"

Finally, do you think the word song leader played a part in who Joe was? Boy I do! Joe lived life to the fullest and because he was who he was, he was infectious. He could excite a crowd of stayed old businessmen at a Rotary club meeting or a group of kids roasting marshmallows while sitting around a campfire. He did that through a not too publicized gift of his called music. I don't know that I can say that Joe was any competition to Kenny Chesney, but I do know that Joe could lead a group in singing a song. We know that he was just a little bashful and that it took a lot of encouragement to finally get him to come forward to lead us in song, but once you coxed him to the front of a room, look out. You were going to sing. And, you were going to sing loud! And you were going to have fun doing it! He loved to sing and believed that singing together was the best way to promote fun and comradery amongst those who he was involved with. Singing with a group was definitely important to Joe.

I mentioned the e-mails that many of you sent to Joe as he started the last phase of his journey home. One of the most comforting e-mails that I read and one that I think spoke so elegantly about the journey that Joe was on was from Joe's dear friend Bishop Emeritus Rene Gracida of Corpus Christi. Bishop Gracida wrote to Joe as follows:
 
"Dear Joe,
 
I want you to know that my prayers are with you at this important moment in your life. You have given so much of yourself to so many over so many years that I have no doubt that God will reward you with that life which was the end and purpose for which you were put on earth. God Bless you Joe!"

Bishop Gracida said it all. Joe was who he was and what he was because his being Joe is the reason that God put him on Earth.
 
I know that God has a new song leader in Heaven. Picture it with me if you will - it's early evening in Heaven. There are flames rising and smoke drifting across thousands of kids that God called to Heaven early. There are also a number of adults interspersed amongst these young people. They are all are seated Indian style around a camp fire. Obviously God has just finished telling a story and there is Joe in front of the fire. He is standing on a chair, his arms are outstretched, there is a big smile on his face and he is leading everyone in singing his version of "God Bless America". That was Joe - and that's how I'm going to remember him.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Now any one of you that ever had the privilege of camping with Joe and attending a campfire with him know that Joe felt like a campfire experience was not complete unless you sang. You also know that you sang the songs that Joe wanted to sing. One song everyone one of us that ever camped out with Joe sang was "Old McDonald Had a Farm". In the true spirit of a campfire experience with Joe, and in honor of Joe, I want you to pretend that you are sitting around a campfire and join Dr. Ridge Hammons in singing "Old McDonald Had a Farm".

_____________________________________________

MEMORIAL SERVICE
JOSEPH GALBRAITH, JR.
September 8, 2007
Seaside Funeral Home
Corpus Christi, Texas
by John O. Thurston

This week the world lost two great artists; Luciano Pavarotti and Joe Galbraith.  However, both these men will live in the hearts of those who loved their art.  Both these men were known for singing.  Pavarotti's singing of "Nessun dorma" from Puccini's last opera, "Turandot," was my personal favorite, and he made that aria as recognizable as a pop hit.

Lots of folks in South Texas feel that way about Joe Galbraith's singing of God Bless America.  But Joe's real Masterpiece was the legacy of happiness, good will and gentlemanly manners that are so often lacking in men today.  Joe's canvas was everyone he met and particularly the boys and girls he served through his scouting ministry.

There are several beautiful works I could refer to and some times Joe had help.  Joe's 61 year partner, Lexxea, was a party to many creations for she was known for her beautiful garden work.  Most importantly Joe and Lexxea created a beautiful family which not only included their children and grandchildren, but the many close friends they made through their constant involvement in the programs and services of their churches, Rotary, Scouting, the Knife and Fork Club and other worthwhile endeavors of this and many other communities who have been fortunate to have had the Galbraith's as citizens.  Many of us referred to Joe as Grandpa and we thank his grandchildren for sharing their grandpa with us.

As a fellow Professional Scouter I want to gratefully acknowledge the love and understanding that goes into the sharing of a man like Joe.  Joe many times said "he never worked a day in his life.  For how can you consider doing something you love and truly believe in as work?"  However, loving your job doesn't lessen the excessive hours that are common in this profession.  It doesn't replace the nights and weekends away.  And for the sacrifices made by Joe's family we say… Thank you for sharing this good man with all of us.  You can't begin to imagine the good he has done, the inspiration he has provided and the goodwill he has built through his actions and his attitude which you enabled.

Pavarotti could bring life to the works of the great composers like Puccini.  I think Joe brought life to the works and teachings of some great masters as well. 

Matthew tells us that Jesus was questioned thusly…

Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
This is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Matthew also describes a story where Jesus says…

And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'

Joe's life was a living sermon on loving God, serving your fellow man and reaching out to everyone no matter what their race, creed or station in life might be.

Joe's special gift in Scouting was his willingness and determination to bring Scouting into the roughest neighborhood and most challenging circumstances.  Joe never complained when a unit didn't hit the counter as he had planned.  He just went back the next week and found another way to get it done. 

There is a memorable scene in the movie "Lonesome Dove" you may recall….  Josh Deets is speared while trying the save a blind Indian child.  Gus McCrae has just finished carving the wooden marker for Josh's grave and Pea Eye says… "What's it read, Gus?" Gus says… "It says, "Josh Deets. Served with me 30 years. Fought in 21 engagements with the Comanche and the Kiowa.  Cheerful in all weathers.  Never shirked a task.  Splendid behavior." That's what it says."  Pea Eye says…  "My lord. Old Deets is gone. My lord."

In Scouting we could write something similar for our friend Joe.  It could say… Joe Galbraith.  Served with us 82 years.  Fought in 67 roundups bringing Scouting to neighborhoods where the competition was often violent gangs, drug dealers and worse.  Cheerful in all weathers.  Never shirked a task.  Splendid behavior."  That's what it would say.  However if you were to say… "My lord.  Old Joe is gone." …you would be wrong.  Because every person in this room is different… better… and richer for having known this good man.  We carry his spirit… He lives on in us if we let him.  
He will be with us every time we do a good turn, every time you express "knightly" good manners and every time you sing "God Bless America."
   
Joe served under every Chief Scout Executive from James E. West to Roy Williams.  He actually met Lord Baden Powell and must have been paying close attention as he spoke back in 1935.  Baden Powell had some themes in nearly every thing he said and I Think Joe must have memorized Baden Powell's last message to the Scouts of the world.  Let me read the last three paragraphs.  I think you will see our friend in these words…

I believe that God put us in this jolly world to be happy and enjoy life. Happiness doesn't come from being rich, nor merely from being successful in your career, nor by self-indulgence. One step towards happiness is to make yourself healthy and strong while you are a boy, so that you can be useful and so can enjoy life when you are a man.

Nature study will show you how full of beautiful and wonderful things God has made the world for you to enjoy. Be contented with what you have got and make the best of it. Look on the bright side of things instead of the gloomy one.

But the real way to get happiness is by giving out happiness to other people. Try and leave this world a little better than you found it and when your turn comes to die, you can die happy in feeling that at any rate you have not wasted your time but have done your best. "Be Prepared" in this way, to live happy and to die happy - stick to your Scout promise always - even after you have ceased to be a boy - and God help you to do it.

Your Friend,
Baden-Powell.

I'll close with a poem that might have been written about Joe, except it was written by James Henry Leigh Hunt who lived from 1784 - 1859.  It's about a particularly optimistic fellow, like Joe, who is visited by an angel and learns that he is inadvertently left out of a golden book the angel is writing in.  This fellow's reaction is classic Joe Galbraith.  Every time I repeat it, I think of Joe …and if you will substitute Joe Galbraith for Abou Ben Adhem you'll see what I mean…

Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight in his room,
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,
An Angel writing in a book of gold:
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,
And to the Presence in the room he said,
"What writest thou?"  The Vision raised its head,
And with a look made of all sweet accord
Answered, "The names of those who love the Lord,"
"And is mine one?" said Abou.  "Nay not so,"
Replied the Angel.  Joe spoke more low,
But cheerly still; and said, "I pray thee, then,
Write me as one that loves his fellow-men."

The Angle wrote, and vanished.  The next night
It came again with a great wakening light,
And showed the names whom love of God had blessed,
And, lo! Joe Galbraith's name led all the rest!

Today we search for role models for our youth.  One need search no farther
than the life and the love we remember and celebrate today.  

On behalf of the many organizations, groups and friends represented here today...  Scouting, Rotary, the First Presbyterian Church of Robstown, the good friends from the congregation of the Oak Park United Methodist Church, the Knife and Fork Club and many others, we all extend our condolences to the family of Joe Galbraith...  and at the same time, we rejoice with you... knowing that if there is sorrow today...  it can only be for ourselves.   For, through our faith, we know that Joe has awakened from the pain and sleep of recent weeks... and has outrun us to our Father's house.

In the name of the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit… AMEN

  I've gone home...