Oscar G. Galvan

With heavy hearts we share the passing of Oscar George Galvan, on October 22, 2026, at the age of 94. He was born on January 21, 1932, in the West Texas town of Ysleta. He graduated from El Paso High School in 1950 and from Texas Western College in 1954. He studied law at Southern Methodist University School of Law, graduating in the class of 1959. Between his time in college and law school, Oscar was a proud Second Lieutenant in the United States Army, serving during the Korean War as an executive training officer in the anti-aircraft artillery division, stationed at Fort Richardson in Alaska. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and continued to serve in the United States Army Reserves after his active duty service was completed.

He married his beloved wife, Lucy Dugan Galvan, on June 27, 1959, after first meeting her at an American Legion dance in Dallas, Texas. Lucy said he was a wonderful dancer and looked so handsome in his military uniform. Oscar said that Lucy was the prettiest girl in the room and despite stepping on his toes while they were dancing, they made a perfect match. During their 67 years of marriage, he always slept better when Lucy kissed him goodnight.

After graduating from law school, Oscar began his career as an assistant district attorney in El Paso, County. He had a great interest in the space race against Russia, and in 1967, accepted a position as a contract negotiator with NASA for Apollo Systems working on the lunar landing (Apollo 11) that put the first man on the moon on July 20, 1969. After the lunar landing, he accepted a position with the United States Department of Justice. Oscar served for several years as a trial attorney and special inquiry officer for the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service.

In 1974, he was appointed by President Nixon to serve as a Federal Administrative Law Judge. He was assigned for a short time in Tampa, Florida, and ultimately served in that position in San Antonio, Texas, until he retired at age 79. Oscar and Lucy loved living in San Antonio, made many wonderful friendships, and were very active in their parish, St. Matthew’s Catholic Church. Oscar served as a member of the parish council, a communion minister, and enjoyed the camaraderie and volunteer opportunities as a member of the Knights of Columbus. Oscar and Lucy also looked forward to the San Antonio tradition of Fiesta San Antonio and Night in Old San Antonio (NIOSA), where they worked as volunteers for many years.

Oscar lived a full life defined by a gentle spirit and love for his family. He never missed a school event, recital, or outing with his daughters Cindy and Cathy. He was an avid football fan and cleared his docket every weekend to cheer for the Dallas Cowboys. He loved reading about history, especially the Civil War and World War II. He enjoyed haggling with car dealerships when it came time to buy a new car, and he would read and learn more about the car he wanted, out negotiating the salesmen every time.

He was a big kid at heart and could not resist summer vacations that included amusement parks, roller coasters, and swimming pools. He was a Sea World fanatic and proudly renewed his annual pass until he was no longer able to walk the long distances around the park. He could not wait until his grandkids, Allison, Tommy, and Jack were old enough to go with him to Sea World and Six Flags to ride the rides and watch the shows.

Oscar and Lucy moved to Houston in late 2023, to be closer to family. While they missed living in San Antonio immensely, they were content living in Houston, the city where their daughter Cindy lives and where their daughter Cathy was born.

Oscar lived a long and full life and was just three months shy of his 95th birthday. He outlived most of his relatives, including his younger brother who passed in 2023. Oscar is survived by his wife Lucy, daughters Cynthia Galvan de la Houssaye (Alan de la Houssaye) and Catherine Galvan George (Joel George), and grandchildren Allison Grace de la Houssaye, Thomas Alan de la Houssaye, and John Logan “Jack” George. He will be missed, but his generous and kind heart will live on in all those who knew him and loved him.

Oscar was preceded in death by his father, Oscar Austin Galvan, his mother, Eleanor Buchanan Galvan, and his younger brother, Reverand Father Alfred Lee Galvan.

A Mass of Christian Burial is set for 10AM on November 13, 2026 at St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church.

A Rite of Committal will follow at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77038, US, at 12:45 pm.