Fredrick William Galloway

February 12, 1932 – January 1, 2011

A loving, compassionate and devoted husband and father passed away suddenly on January 1, 2011 in Ojai, California. Freddie was born to Fredrick and Beatrice Galloway in Monterey Park California, the eldest of four sons. In a few years the family moved to San Bernardino with Fred helping his parents raise his three younger brothers, Tommie, Jerrie and Bobbie. During his formative years, Fred developed a keen interest in jazz music performances, paying particular attention to the trumpet section. Fred eventually received a student model trumpet and focused on learning to play and master the trumpet through high school. Fred continued his post high school education attending San Bernardino Valley College before enlisting to serve in the Air Force and being assigned to the 775th Air Force Band at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona.

After his service in the Air Force Fred decided to live in Los Angeles while pursuing work as a jazz musician. In February 1958 he happened to help some friends move when he met a young and beautiful lady in the midst of all the packing and furniture moving. After their chance meeting, Fred inquired on the young lady’s “availability” among mutual friends while unbeknownst to him… she was doing the same. On September 6, 1958 Fred married that lady, Mary L. Newton and began his new role as loving and devoted husband. He expanded his role as father, having three children over the next six years. Fred worked as a sales representative for Sherwin-Williams Paint Company in Los Angeles then became employed with Southern California Edison Company initially as a line repairman in 1961. While with SCE in 1968, Fred accepted a transfer to the Ventura office location and moved his family to live in the Ojai Valley, just in time to become intensely involved in helping repair damage from the January and February 1969 Ventura County floods. Fred briefly delved into politics when he campaigned for a seat on the Ojai Unified School District Board of Education in 1973. While continuing to raise his family in the Ojai Valley Fred continued working his way into office accounting with Edison, and playing trumpet with community bands as time allowed. By 1989 Fred decided he was ready focus more on his musical endeavors and golf and retired from Southern California Edison.

In his retirement years, Fred resumed his passion for performance trumpet playing which blossomed into a new career with his participation in community bands and orchestras throughout Ventura County serving in roles from participant to arranger and conductor. At the time of his passing, he was member of the Camarillo Community Band and Ventura County Concert Band. Fred loved the outdoors and included camping, fishing, and golf as his hobbies. In 1991 Fred began to enjoy a new assignment as “grandpa” and beamed with happiness and enthusiasm which grew with the arrival of more new grandchildren. He continued to enjoy frequent travel throughout southern California with his wife, visiting family, friends, musical events and enjoying simple weekend get-aways, a favorite destination being Solvang.

Fred is survived by his wife of 52 years, Mary L. Galloway of Ojai, daughter Christy L. Galloway of Fillmore, son Mark E. Galloway and daughter-in-law Susan D. Galloway of Olympia, Washington and son F. Roark Galloway and daughter-in-law Sharon K. Galloway of Ramona, California. He is also survived by grandchildren Kathryn, Erick, Sean, Jason and Brett. He is also survived by his brother Gerald R. Galloway of Escondido, California. There are also many surviving cousins, nephews and countless friends that will miss him and his beaming smiles and gentle manner.

A celebration of Fred’s life will be held Thursday, January 13, 2011, 2:00 P.M. at Ted Mayr Funeral Chapel, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations please be sent to the Camarillo Community Band in memory of Fred Galloway, P.O. Box 903, Camarillo, CA 93011.