LeRoy Springer Galley, Jr.

LeRoy Springer Galley Jr. passed away peacefully on Friday evening, February 21st at his home surrounded by his family. LeRoy was born on December 23rd, 1935 to LeRoy & Mary Galley in Ranger, Texas. When he was six years old, the family moved to Washington; originally to Mount Vernon before settling in Bellingham. In his youth, he was a gifted multi-sport athlete and talented musician who loved to sing and play the violin. After graduating from Bellingham High School in 1954, he attended Western Washington College of Education (WWU), where he played baseball and graduated with a degree and teaching credentials in 1958. During those college years he dated and married Laura Jane Wood, his lifelong love and partner for nearly 70 years. After college, the couple moved to Washougal, Washington where they had both received teaching jobs. It was there that they welcomed their sons Chris & Kevin, before moving back to Bellingham where the family expanded with the births of daughter Kim and son Kurt. LeRoy taught several years at Fairhaven Junior High and one year at Sehome High School before beginning a 25-year career at Bellingham High School. Over those years, he was a beloved English teacher and basketball, golf, and football coach in both head and assistant coaching roles. For 63 years, LeRoy and Laura were faithful members of First Baptist Church. LeRoy served the church in several roles including singing in the choir and serving many terms on the church board as Elder and Deacon. His faith in Jesus was the bedrock of LeRoy’s life, and he lived each day desiring to become more like Him. LeRoy was a dedicated family man. He and Laura celebrated their 68th Anniversary last summer. Theirs was a partnership that grew in commitment to each other and love for one another every year. LeRoy also adored his children and spoke of them often (and may have exaggerated ever so slightly about their accomplishments over the years). And he was a devoted grandfather to his seven grandkids and one great granddaughter. Everyone in our family was able to express love and gratitude to “Pacca” in his final days. We are so very thankful for his loving kindness to each of us and we will miss him beyond measure. LeRoy was preceded in death by his parents LeRoy Galley Sr and Mary Galley. He is survived by his wife Laura, his sister June and brother Les (Tass), children Chris, Kevin (Mary), Kim (Mark), Kurt (Frannie), his grandchildren Taylor, Megan, Camille, Tess, Alex, Grace and Sophie and great granddaughter Talulla, as well as many nieces and nephews. The celebration of life for LeRoy will be at First Baptist Church, 110 Flora Street, Bellingham, WA 98225 on March 22, 2025 at 11:00. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that any gifts made to honor LeRoy’s legacy be made to Whatcom Hospice Foundation or First Baptist Church of Bellingham, P.O. Box 5916, Bellingham, WA 98227.