Galen Oster's Obituary
Galen Oster, loving husband, dad and brother, graduated to Heaven on Nov. 9, 2015. He was born in Longmont, Co. on Sept. 27, 1947. Galen leaves behind his loving wife and BFF, Bonnie; daughter, Heather Fuller; sisters: Mary Lou (Roger) Scheler, Nancy (Richard) Deanglis and Anne Stevens; brother, Gary (Chung Wei) Oster and several step children, nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Woodrow (Woody) Oster and Mary Clark and wife, June Oster.
Galen attended Mt. St. Francis Seminary in Indiana after graduating Jr. High School. While there he completed two semesters. This, however, wasn't Galen's "cup of tea". He returned to Longmont and graduated from Longmont High in 1965.
In 1967 he enlisted in the Navy. He served on three aircraft carriers-The USS Saratoga, The USS Coral Sea and The USS Constellation. He retired in 1989 as Chief Petty Officer. Galen so loved his life as a naval Officer. Each day presented a new challenge and he embraced those challenges eagerly and wholeheartedly. He was very proud of his 23 years of service for his country. Now, Galen was ready to "launch" into something new and different!
From 1989-1995 Galen worked in the swimming pool business, employed by Kim and Kevin Liljenquist in Florida. He learned it all-from how to apply the pool finish to installing the pool deck to managing the business. He learned a great deal in six years and the Liljenquists became like family. That is why, in 1995, it was difficult for Galen to inform Kim and Kevin that he needed to leave Florida and move to Arizona. You see, he had fallen in love with his "pen pal", Bonnie (AKA-BO) and she lived in Tucson! Kim and Kevin gave him their blessing, and off he drove in his yellow Rider truck heading West to Arizona! Galen had become pen pals with Bonnie through the Christian Singles newspaper. After many letters, photos and phone calls they decided to meet. Galen (AKA-GO) was sure that he loved BO. But, BO wasn't so sure about her feelings for GO! They dated for a year and then GO popped the million dollar question. On Feb. 14, 1996 BO and GO were married. Their wedding, attended by many friends and family, was celebrated at DeGrazia's Mission In The Sun Chapel. It was a beautiful day, a beautiful ceremony. And now a beautiful life had begun for the newlyweds!
From 1995-2009 Galen worked for Jim and Judy Meadows at Meadows Pool Plastering. GO worked as office manager, handling the daily challenges and "putting out fires" as they occurred. He worked tirelessly for 14 years at Meadows. Needless to say, Jim and Judy and their family became BO and GO's "second" family. Every November Galen would deliver a large ham and turkey to Jim and Judy for Thanksgiving. After all, it is a time to be thankful for our blessings. And, for BO and GO, that is what Jim and Judy had become- a true blessing in their lives!
As 2009 approached, BO and GO started thinking about retirement. Wouldn't it be fun to travel? So, after a retirement party given by the Meadows family, and many tears shed, Bonnie and Galen "hit the road!"
After purchasing a new 5th wheel camper, BO and GO headed for Oregon. They wanted to settle down somewhere along the coastline. They spent the summer of 2009 and winter of 2010 along the Oregon coast. During those two years of traveling between Arizona and Oregon, they also RV'd through the states of Washington, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, Idaho and California. Oh, to be among the tall pines and to hear the crashing waves of the ocean-Pure Heaven! But, they hadn't taken into consideration the Daily RAIN! BO didn't mind the rain and "sea mist" (AKA-Fog), but GO disliked it immensely! So, in the spring of 2011, BO and GO returned "home" to Arizona.
They settled in Sierra Vista, Arizona-a quiet little community southeast of Tucson. And, their daughter, Heather, lived in Tucson-another "plus" to be back home! They loved it here and remained active during their four-year stay. In 2013, Galen formed "The BBs Tap and Line Dance Troupe". GO was the music director and acquired the name of "Sam"-given to him by BO. She would cue him to start the music by saying: "Hit it Sam!" He also was the event coordinator, securing the various venues for "The BBs". This was very time consuming but he LOVED it! The troupe performed at various venues such as: parades, street fairs, county fairs, church events and several assisted living facilities. They also appeared on the Channel 9 television show "Morning Blend"! The BBs consisted of 11 dancers and they performed various tap, line and clogging routines. But, as the saying goes, all good things must, eventually, come to an end and in Sept. 2015, "The BBs" disbanded. Due to "Sam's" health issues, BO and GO decided to move to Tucson. This allowed for better access to the hospitals and doctors that GO needed to visit so frequently. For eight months, GO courageously battled lung cancer. He eventually contracted pneumonia, and on Nov. 9th our dear Lord ushered him Home. We are sure that God has assigned him as music director for His choir of Heavenly Angels! In fact, if you listen closely, you just might hear "Hit it Sam!"
BO hopes, in time, to form a new dance troupe-"Sam's BBs". The shows will be dedicated in memory of "Sam, our Music Man". And one day we will all be together again, singing and dancing in our new venue- Heaven! We Love and Miss you, so much, dearest GO! You will live on in our hearts forever!!
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