James Galbraith

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Fortified with the sacraments of the Church and accompanied by the prayers of friends and family, James F. "Jim" Galbraith entered eternal life on April 25, 2007.

Born in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 25, 1933 to Ed and Clara Galbraith, Jim spent most of his life in the Kansas City area. He attended St. Augustine's grade school, Hogan High School and Metropolitan Junior College. He served his country honorably as a U.S. Marine in Korea. After returning from service, Jim devoted himself to working full time in the family business, Grandview Mfg. Co., while working on his degree in electrical engineering.

He met Joan Briggs while they were singing in the parish choir. The couple was married April 18, 1959 and lived for a brief time in President Gardens but eventually settled down in the Hickman Mills area to raise their young family.

Going to school at night enabled Jim to finish his engineering degree from KU and in 1965 he began a 26 year career with Bendix/Allied Signal, where he dedicated himself to the protection of his country and the highest standards of his profession. He was a beloved coworker and he sustained many friendships that lasted beyond his retirement.

Upon retirement, Jim declined job offers in order to dedicate himself to helping the poor and needy and serving the Church. He enjoyed fixing monthly chili suppers at the Catholic Worker House. Jim taught class to adults considering the Catholic faith, first at St. Matthew and later at St. Bridget in Pleasant Hill. No one knows the number of those who came to the knowledge of Jesus Christ through Jim's patient and thorough teaching.

In 1999 Jim and Joan moved to Pleasant Hill, enjoying the relaxed pace of life and the company of family and friends old and new. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #13113. After faith and family, his passions were golf, cats and a good martini, in that order.

Jim leaves behind his beloved wife, Joan, of Pleasant Hill; children Mary Levy of Pleasant Hill, Clare Briggs of Lee's Summit, Sr. Mary Sarah Galbraith of Nashville, Tennessee, Betsy Baldwin and husband Dan of Kansas City, Missouri and Ed Galbraith and wife Claudia of Holts Summit, Missouri. His grandchildren are: Monica Levy, Michaela Levy, Marjorie Levy, James Galbraith, Matthew Levy, John Galbraith, Tim Armstrong, Jude Galbraith Catherine Galbraith, Therese Galbraith, Joseph Galbraith, Andrew Galbraith, Maria Galbraith, Kate Baldwin, Emma Baldwin; a brother Don and his wife Joan, of Bentonville, Arkansas, other relatives and many friends.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and a twin brother Joe.

A funeral mass was held Saturday, April 28, 2007 at the St. Bridget Catholic Church, Pleasant Hill. Reverend Joseph I. Cisetti officiated. Burial was in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, with Graveside military services provided by Pleasant Hill VFW Post #3118. Casket bearers were Tim Armstrong, Dan Baldwin, John Galbraith, Rick Galbraith, Matt Levy, and J.R. Richardson. Honorary casket bearers were Steve Prewitt, Ken Richardson and Scott Richardson

Visitation was held Friday, April 27, 2007 at the church, with the Honor Guard provided by the Knights of Columbus Council #13113

Memorial contributions are suggested to the St. Bridget Catholic Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 43, Pleasant Hill, MO 64080