Matthew Galusha

Journeyman. A fitting title! Matthew Lee Galusha, won his battle with brain cancer on April 19, 2023, when he followed the call of God to come home! Everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him knows that his Heavenly Father surely said to him, “Well Done My Good and Faithful Servant!”

Born April 29, 1967, in Defiance, Ohio, to Greg and Deanna (Michael) Galusha, Matthew was the third of five children which explains his incredible relationship-fostering nature. Matthew dearly loved his brothers Michael, Mark, and Paul and his baby sister, Lynette.

At a young age, Wyoming was his home and playground. There, he learned to thrive in nature and hunted fossils around the Grand Tetons. With great pride Matthew served his country in the Army and spent time stationed in Honduras. Matthew enjoyed travel, academics, music, scouting, 4-H, a whole lot of construction projects, playing cards and games, and deep connections to his family and friends. Matthew’s fix it and build it talents were surely nurtured by his Dad and his Grandpa Boze. Oh the things he built – including the family’s home in Alabama when he decided to just go ahead and become a licensed home builder! His mechanical skills may have been a bit of a curse as it seemed to lead to some fairly unsound used vehicle purchases. Fortunately, he and his boys weren’t timid about taking on some major mechanical issues.

Matthew’s eventful career was an example of hard work and initiative. He also truly enjoyed the social aspect of each of his positions creating life-long friendships along the way. Matthew began his career at Kamco, a plastics molding manufacturer. When he moved to Michigan, he worked as a custom manufacturing equipment builder at Burr Oak Tool and Gauge. Always up for an adventure, Matthew and his family relocated to Alabama when he accepted a job at KMA as a maintenance manager. In 2011 Matthew opened a restaurant and bar fittingly named Friend’s. Matthew later returned to his maintenance roots working as a Lead Maintenance Millwright, and eventually Engineer, for both Georgia Pacific and Boise Cascade.

Matthew is survived by his wife, Micki Allen; son Hayden Allen-Galusha and wife Sarah (Butts), son Tayler Allen-Galusha, and daughter Sierra and husband Remington Keen. He has three young grandchildren who will delight in a lifetime of stories of their Grandpa: Remi Mae Keen, Emmitt Grey Keen, and Brooks Hayden Allen-Galusha. He is also survived by his beloved mother Deanna, brother Michael (Mary) Galusha, brother Paul, and sister Lynette (Eric) Roberts, 4 nephews, 7 nieces, and a village of rowdy, loving cousins!

So much more could be shared about a life well lived; the practical side like how he always had a plan and was eager to secure provisions; like how his Grandpa Floyd and many of the Galusha men enjoyed cooking and did it well; and his constant generosity of spirit, resources, and time! His greatest legacy however will be his unwavering faith in God! Matthew faced this most certain terminal illness with divine humility and gratitude. God’s grace shown upon him just as His face is now.

Matthew’s funeral will be on Saturday April 29, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Ridout's Prattville Chapel, 347 E Main St, Prattville, Alabama 36067, with the visitation one hour prior.

In lieu of flowers the family is raising money to plant trees in memory of Matthew in Glacier National Park. Glacier National Park has The Trees of Remembrance program that offers a unique opportunity to honor loved ones while supporting Glacier’s Native Plant Restoration Program. By supporting the memorial tree fund, not only are you giving a priceless gift to your loved one, you are also ensuring that one of the world’s most intact ecosystems remains for future generations. We are trying to raise $2,000 which will ensure that we are able to have a special tree planting ceremony where the family will spread Matthew's ashes. Glacier National Park was the last place Matthew visited before he passed on April 19, 2023. The outdoors was where Matthew felt most himself and we look forward to honoring him with this ceremony.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/matthew-galushas-memorial-tree-planting?utm_campaign=p_cp%20share-sheet&utm_content=undefined&utm_medium=sms&utm_source=customer&utm_term=undefined

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridoutsprattvillechapel.com for the Galusha family.