James L. Galbraith

THE LIFE OF JAMES L. GALBRAITH

James Lawrence Galbraith, son of James & Mary Ethlean (Spicknall) Galbraith, was born April 15, 1933, at the family home near Spencer, Nebraska, in Boyd County. He was the youngest of seven children in the family. He was baptized, as a child, in the United Methodist Church in Spencer & confirmed in that same church on March 19, 1949.

Jim grew up on the family farm, helping his parents with the usual farm work & chores. He graduated from Spencer High School in 1950, & enjoyed coming back to the Spencer Alumni Banquet, for many years, to see his old classmates & friends.

After graduation, Jim taught rural school in Holt County, Nebraska, for one year. He also worked on building the Ft. Randall Dam in South Dakota. He lost his wrist watch in the concrete, during construction while working there, & always claimed that it is probably still ticking because it was a Timex.

Jim met the love of his life at the school in Boyd County, Marilyn Kay Fernau, & said that he thought "she was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen". He said that she had a red tint to her hair, & he couldn't take his eyes off her. Marilyn was the daughter of Eldred & Iva (Luber) Fernau. They married on September 15, 1951, at the Methodist Church in Spencer, Nebraska.

Jim had a dynamic personality, & a contagious laugh. He loved a good joke or story. He was a strong, kind hearted, loving, & special man. The void that he left here on earth will never be filled. Part of us went with him the day that he left us. Life will never be the same. His sudden passing was a shock to everyone, & he will truly be missed by many. The tears do not cease, & the mind will not be still, of those who are suffering the loss of this man.

Jim died at his home in Hemet, on April 2, 2018, surrounded by family members, at the age of 84, just 13 days short of his 85th birthday. He is survived by his loving wife, Marilyn, three sons, Douglas (Ann) Galbraith, Steven Galbraith, Howard (Jean) Galbraith, & one daughter Janet (Doug) Zuhse. He leaves eleven grandchildren & four great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jim & Ethlean Galbraith, & all seven siblings: Howard Galbraith, Delilia Winter, Mary Boettcher, Naomi Galbraith, Geraldean Orr, Alice Winter, & Enid Fuhrer.Rest in peace dear Jim, & may your memories live on in the hearts & minds of those who loved you so dearly.
 

I'm Free

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free
I'm following the path God laid for me.
I took His hand when I heard him call;
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day,
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way;
I found that place at the close of the day.
If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss;
Ah yes, these things, I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life's been full, I savored much;
Good friends, good times, a loved ones touch.
Perhaps my time seems all too brief;
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me,
God wanted me now, He set me free.

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