Paul E. Galloway

Paul Eugene Galloway, age 90, passed away at 4:52 am Friday, March 19, 2021, at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia, MO.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Tuesday, March 23, 2021, at the First Presbyterian Church in Vandalia, with a visitation celebrating Paul’s life at 10:00 am until the time-of-service. Pastor Rick Watson will officiate. Burial will be in the Vandalia Cemetery following the service.

Due to COVID-19 the family is requesting everyone in attendance to practice social distancing and are requiring the use of face masks. The service will be broadcast in the church parking lot via the radio on 89.1FM.

Paul Gene was born on September 2, 1930, in Farber, MO, to William Paul and Mary (Ball) Galloway. He lived out his life on two family farms in Vandalia, MO, his childhood and youth spent at “the home place” on Galloway Road, and his adult life on the McCune farm east of town. He graduated from Vandalia High School with the class of 1948, served in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict, and later attended the University of Missouri in Columbia, earning a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 1957. He had planned to attend law school but, after a single semester, was called home to work the farm when his dad encountered health problems. He farmed for the rest of his professional life, raising cattle, wheat, soybeans and corn until his retirement.

He was united in marriage to Brenda Jean Shaw on November 6, 1965, in St. Louis, Missouri, and celebrated 55 anniversaries with her before his passing. She survives.

Paul Gene enjoyed Mizzou football and was an avid season ticket holder for many years, regularly attending games with friends and family from the 1960s through the 1980s. Paul played basketball in high school and enjoyed watching college basketball for the duration of his life. He was also an avid pool player, a pastime that earned him a little extra cash while in the service, and he had a passion for reading everything from the funny pages to the action/adventure novels of John Grisham and Tom Clancy. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren playing basketball and pool, attending their football and basketball games, hosting hayrides and riding his four-wheeler around the farm. Paul was often found visiting with friends in the mornings at the coffee shop, Harold's Barber Shop and Vandalia Firestone.

Paul loved helping people and humbly did so throughout his life, ceaselessly seeing to the needs of family, friends, fellow church members, and the community at large. He also dedicated his time and efforts to multiple organizations, serving on the MFA Oil board of directors for 24 years and as secretary/treasurer of the Vandalia Cemetery board for 30 years. Paul was a charter member of the Vandalia Investment Club and a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church, where he served as an Elder and clerk of the session for many years. Additionally, he was a life member of the American Legion, VFW Post 2173, and the University of Missouri Alumni Association.

With his passing, Paul Gene joins his parents, Paul and Mary Galloway, a brother, Joe, and a son, Darin, as well as numerous extended family and friends.

The absence of his presence will be felt strongly by all he leaves behind: wife, Brenda; sons, Dane Kent (Debbie Thompson) Galloway of Springfield, MO; Tyler Paul (Lori) Galloway of Lenexa, KS; and Tad Shaw (Colleen) Galloway of Mexico, MO; daughter, Megan Adair (Brian) Snowden of Reeds Springs, MO; sister, Mary Ann (Michael) Wood of Mexico, MO; eleven grandchildren, Tanner, Zachary, Justin, Larin, Darin, Maria, Olivia, Murphy, Elise, Nate and K.P.; one great grandson, Colin; and many other loved family and friends.

Pallbearers will be Tyler Galloway, Dane Galloway, Tad Galloway, Brian Snowden, Eric Moran and Frank Wallace.

Honorary pallbearers are H.E. Libby, Bill Kohl, Jim Mulherin, Sonny Wright, Albert Cullom, Donald Ray Morris, Bill Finnerty, Bobby Wright and Terry Shaw.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church or Vandalia Cemetery Association, in care of Waters Funeral Home, P.O. Box 84, Vandalia, MO 63382.

Online condolences may be made to the family and on Paul's memorial page at www.watersfuneral.com.