Galen Corlett, 75, of Punta Gorda, Florida passed away a few months after a lung cancer diagnosis. The last two months of his life he lived in Jacksonville, Florida with his daughter and son-in-law. He passed peacefully in his sleep.
Galen was born and raised in Maywood, Nebraska, the only child of ranchers William Edward “Eddie” Corlett and Hetty “Mildred” Corlett. He attended Maywood HS, participating in sports, including 8-man football, basketball and especially, Jr. Legion Baseball. He was scouted as a possible pitcher for St. Louis Cardinals farm team, but didn’t make the cut. Instead, upon graduation he attended broadcasting school in Minneapolis, becoming a radio announcer for a short time in Texas, Nebraska and North Carolina. In 1965, he received a draft notice during the Vietnam War. He immediately joined the U.S. Air Force where he was stationed at K.I. Sawyer AF Base in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula for four years in the Air Police. Thankfully, he was never sent to Vietnam.
He had married his high school girlfriend, Judith (Henry) Bridger, (m. June 10, 1965, d. 1993), just before moving to North Carolina. Their oldest daughter Kristin was born while they were in the military. They later had two more daughters Alison and Hillary born in Lansing, MI.
After his discharge, he worked for his mentor/hero and father-in-law, LeRoy Henry, with H & H Restaurants, Inc. in the burgeoning fast food industry of Burger King until 1991. He loved Mexico and spent several years in Cabo San Lucas where he adopted his signature phrase, “Adios.” Eventually he returned home to work many years for friends at McNamara Produce.
He was a kind-hearted man with an incredibly rich ‘radio voice’ which he never lost. For entertainment, he could be found ‘smoking and joking’ or playing golf in Lansing or Up North and later with his group of pals the Peckerheads. The family went on frequent vacations together (even after he and Judith divorced): Back home to Nebraska, Ireland, Isle of Man, plus college graduations, weddings and funerals.
Eight years ago he moved to Florida where the warm climate, local bars with friends, a kitchen stocked with cooking vessels, gadgets and a freezer full of meat to grill and share suited him perfectly. HSN and QVC were probably his only vices. However, everyone he knew was gifted a green pan at some point. If Galen loved the kitchen gadget, he bought four the next time he saw them on TV and gave them away to friends along with a great story about what he had already created with his newest acquisition.
He was a man who spoke well of his friends, acquiring many who enjoyed his company sharing his knowledge of food, entertaining and sports. He showed his love through food and gifts, and never failed to call his children on special occasions ending with his resounding, “Adios, Kid.”
He was preceded in death by his parents: William Edward Corlett (1900-1976), Hetty Mildred (Russell) Corlett (1905 -1995). Survivors include daughters Kristin Corlett (Steve Binder), Alison (Corlett) Alfredson (Jim), Hillary Corlett (Shayn Crabtree), grandchildren Zora, Stella, and Scarlett Alfredson and former wife and lifelong friend, Judith (Henry) Bridger.
A Memorial Wake will be held July 18, 2019 at Reno’s West, Lansing MI from 3-7pm, where we too will say “Adios” to this fine man.
His friends in Punta Gorda will be having a Memorial for him on Sunday, August 18 at noon at the Celtic Ray Public House.
To celebrate Galen’s life have some fun. Play a round of golf and spend time with your friends and family. That's all he ever wanted. We request no flowers as his daughters are quite allergic. Thank you.
Arrangement are entrusted to HARDAGE-GIDDNES FUNERAL HOME BEACHES CHAPEL
JACKSONVILLE BEACH FL
v.1.1.3