Michael Alan Galbraith

Mike was born on July 27, 1948 to John Joseph Galbraith and Effie Geneva Jenkins in St. Rose Delima Hospital in Henderson, NV. He spent his childhood years living in Nevada, California, and Kansas and ending up back in Henderson, NV where he attended Jr. High and High School. He graduated from Basic High school in 1967 where he excelled in football and wrestling. He had six siblings.

After high school, Mike joined the United States Air Force and served his country in Vietnam from 1969-70. After returning home from Vietnam, Mike was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mike never spoke much about his experiences in Vietnam, but he did share how a friend and fellow soldier taught him the Gospel of Jesus Christ while in the midst of the atrocities of war. Mike was converted and his testimony remained with him for the rest of his life.

On March 21, 1970 Mike married his sweetheart, Mary Hannah Davis in Henderson, NV. They were sealed for time and all eternity one year later in the St. George temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Hannah and Mike had three children Chris, Mitch, and Bethany while traveling all over the country as Mike served in the United States Air Force, ending up in Alaska where they made their home for over 30 years.

Mike proudly served his country for 26 years retiring as a well decorated Chief Master Sargent in 1994 in Alaska. His field was aircraft maintenance and Mike designed a part used on the F-16. Mike attended college simultaneously while serving in the Air Force and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business management in 1991, becoming the first member of his family to graduate from college.

After retiring from the military, Mike started working for the State of Alaska, ending up as an Airport Operations Manager for the Anchorage International Airport retiring in 2006. Mike really enjoyed his job at the airport and delighted his grandchildren with drives on the runway and tours of the airport.

Mike loved Alaska and all that it offered. When asked where his favorite place to have ever lived was he quickly reported that it was Eielson AFB, AK where he and his family were stationed from 1984-88 and he served as the Senior Enlisted Advisor.

Mike was an avid fisherman and hunter. He spent many hours with his children on the Russian River and out on hunting trips all over Alaska. After retirement, Mike spent much of the fishing season on the Kenai River and if there was a fish anywhere in that river Mike could pick it out. It was there that he taught many of his grandchildren to fish.

Mike was also a whiz at auto repair and during the early years of his married life he and Hannah would buy old cars and Mike would repair them and resell them as a source of added income.

Mike’s life was full of service, to his family, to God and to his country. He spent many hours in church and temple service and was always willing to help others.

Mike was a dedicated father, and adored husband. He was dearly loved by his 10 grandchildren and they were the light of his life.

Mike was predeceased by his dear wife, Hannah, who passed away four months ago, by his parents, John and Effie; by his brothers, Joe and Ernie, by his sister, Gayla, and by brother in law, Aaron.

He is survived by his three children : Chris Galbraith of Soldotna, AK (Wife Karen and son Mason), John Mitchell Galbraith of Phoenix, AZ (wife Laura, daughters Rebekah (husband Cory), Jessica (husband Hector), Molly, and Maggie, and son Damian (wife Nicki)) and Bethany DeKay of Eagle River, AK (husband Robert, daughters Hannah and Winnie, and sons Bobby and Jack); brother and sister in law, Shelley and Ted Currey, and siblings, Dorothy Morris, James Fred Galbraith (wife Betty), and Judy Galbraith (husband Mike).

Visitation will be held Tuesday, April 25, 2023 from 10:00am to 11:00am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 15018 N. 39th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85053. The Funeral Service will follow at 11:00am. The Graveside Service with Military Honors will follow at 2:00pm at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N. Cave Creek Road, Phoenix, AZ 85024.

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