John M. “Jack” Galusha

John M. "Jack" Galusha passed away on Sunday, March 15, 2015, from complications of Alzheimer's. His wife was at his side. Born on Sept. 7, 1928, in Cody, Wyo., to Barbara Mary (Mainland) and John Ernest Galusha, he spent most of his life in Laurel. He attended school in Laurel and graduated from Laurel High School in 1948. Jack worked for the Northern Pacific Railroad for a short time, and then enlisted in the U.S. Army. After a tour of 18 months in Okinawa, Jack was sent to Washington, D.C., where he worked at the Pentagon and Walter Reed Army Hospital. He was in Washington when he proposed long distance to his high school sweetheart, Pat Rathbun. They were married on Dec. 21, 1950, at the Laurel Methodist Church. He took his bride back to Washington for the remainder of his time in the Army. Jack and Pat returned to Laurel in 1952, where they raised their children. Jack worked for Cummins Diesel in Billings for five years, and then went to work at the Cenex Refinery in Laurel, where he worked for 33 years. In 1959, Jack joined the Montana National Guard and retired in 1988 as a retention officers, giving him 30 years of combined service time. He was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church, where he sang in the choir for 70 years. Jack was a 50-plus year member and a past master of Corinthian Lodge in Laurel, a member of the Scottish Rite and the Al Bedoo Shrine, where he was captain of the GI Drill Squad. After Jack retired, he and Pat spent several years traveling in their RV and enjoying the beauty of many different states. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a trip to Europe. Jack was a kind and loving man, and greatly enjoyed his time with family, particularly his great-grandchildren. His patriotism was evidenced by his long years of military service. He had a great sense of humor, which got him in trouble from time to time, and was the butt of pranks played on him by his children. His faith in God was played out in all aspects of his life. Jack is survived by his wife, Pat; son, David John (Linda) of Glendive; daughter, Katherine Mary Reak (Jack); two grandchildren, Jennifer Sokol (Mark) of Cairo, Neb., and Joann Wiles of Glendive; and three great-grandchildren, Samantha and Jack Sokol, and MacKenzie Wiles; and his sister, Barbara Karst (Clancy) of Laurel. His parents preceded him in death. Cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 19, at Laurel United Methodist Church, with burial to follow in Yellowstone National Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Laurel United Methodist Church Music Department or Shriner's Children's Hospital.