Jim Galus

James M. Galus, 72, of Mesa, Arizona passed away on March 29, 2014. Jim was born on November 29, 1941 in Chicago, Illinois to Stanley A. and Stella C. (Modelski) Galus. He attended St. John Cantius Elementary School, Holy Trinity High School and Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois.

Jim married Phyllis A. Dorris on October 2, 1965 at St. Tarcissius Catholic Church in Chicago. He served his country proudly in the United States Marine Corps from 1963-1967 where he served as a court reporter for the Air Wing at MCAS El Toro California and Iwakuni Japan. He also served as a Chaplain’s Assistant in Vietnam. During his military career Jim received the Vietnam Service medal, National Defense medal and Good Conduct medal. Jim was a life-time member of the VFW and proudly served as a member of their Honor Guard. A unique and often talked about special memory of his military career was having the privilege of taking off and landing from an aircraft carrier in an F-4 Phantom Fighter Jet, flown by his good friend and pilot, Captain Albert Pitt (Vietnam MIA).

After his military service, Jim went on to be a Distribution Center Manager for Procter and Gamble in the city of Commerce, California from 1974 to 1993. In 1976, he and six other Distribution Center managers formed CALTOP Logistics a cooperative shipping company that remains successful to this day. He also served on the Board of Directors between 1976 and 1993 and served as Board President from 1989-1993 which also marked his retirement from the company.

Jim was a true athlete. He coached youth soccer in Orange, California for all of his children, leading the Earthquakes to many league championships. He continued to referee high school soccer even after all his children graduated. Looking for even greater challenges, he began running marathons at 50 years of age. He ran the Chicago, Marine Corps and the Los Angeles marathons many times. In addition, he ran countless half-marathons, many with daughter Jennifer and also participated in triathlons. Jim worked to get his entire family involved in a variety of physical activities. His wife reluctantly participated in one "mud run" and sons Bill and Steve participated in several. When it came to keeping his family motivated, Jim always led by example. At the age of 63, while still working for Procter and Gamble, he applied and was accepted for training by the Los Angeles Police Academy. He graduated at the top of his class and was hired by the Montebello Police Department as a Reserve Officer. He was awarded Reserve Officer of the Year for the City of Montebello after only his second year.

In 2007, during his retirement years he worked at Mountain Vista Medical Center as a security guard. During his final year he was given a job coveted by all seniors - being paid to drive the hospital's golf cart. Friends and co-workers at MVMC became a second family to him. On July 4, 2009, Jim died and came back to life when he fell prey to cardiac death syndrome and collapsed while working out at the gym. A firefighter (Max) and a trauma nurse (Brenda) who also happened to be at the gym, saw the event and rendered immediate first aid keeping him alive until paramedics arrived. He was taken to MVMC where he made a full recovery. God saw fit to give him a second lease on life and his survival is a true testament to the way he lived his life, a brave fighter who never gave up. For more on his miracle, please view a video at: http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=e1e051d2401eb6d8be984e&skin_id=1602&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=text_url

Jim’s lifetime achievement was being a devoted husband, a loving father and a wonderful JaJa (Polish word for grandfather) to his grandchildren. His brother-in-law Rick Dorris said, “I could look at Jim and know what to do.” He always led by example. Jim was also a warm and caring friend to countless others, many of whom are reading this now. For those who touched his life thank you for being a part of it – he truly treasured his friends.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Phyllis Galus (“My Bride”); his sons, Steve Galus (Holly) and Bill Galus; daughter, Jennifer Kuzman (Bob); grandchildren, Chris Galus, Michael Galus, Catherine Galus, Justin Galus, Slater Kuzman, and Brodin Kuzman. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Fred Galus and best friends and former Marines: John Spinelli, Bill Kennedy and Pat Sikorski.

A Memorial Mass for Jim will be held on Friday, April 25 at 10:00 am (Rosary) and 10:30 mass at St. George Catholic Church, 300 E. 16th Ave., Apache Junction, AZ 85119 with Military Honors and a luncheon to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Jim’s name to PLEA Charities, http://azplea.com/plea-charities/. Or by mail to PLEA Charities 1102 West Adams St., Phoenix, AZ 85007.

Inurnment will take place at Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego California on July 11th at 1 pm. Arrangements entrusted to Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park and Funeral Care, 400 S. Power Rd., Mesa, AZ 85206. Please visit www.MariposaGardens.com to leave a tribute to Jim.