Donald Galles

Donald G. Galles was born in Casper August 18, 1925 the son of Walter and Gladys Galles. He attended St. Anthony grade school and Natrona County High School. Prior to graduating from high school Don joined the Army in February 1944. He served with the 1OOth Infantry Division in France until he was seriously wounded by shrapnel. After many months of hospitalization and recuperation in both France, on a hospital ship and in the United States he received an honorable discharge on November 21, 1945. For his service he was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Combat Infantry Badge as well as four other medals. Don was extremely proud of his service to his country. In January 1946 he enrolled at Creighton University in Omaha, NE. and graduated from the Creighton College of Commerce on June 2, 1949. Only two days later he married Anna (Ann) Christensen in Omaha. After a short honeymoon the newlyweds began their lives together in Casper where he started his career with the Casper National Bank in the auditing department. In 1951 Don began working for Jeff Hawks, a Casper Oilman. He eventually entered into a partnership with Mr. Hawks in 1968 that was known as The Hawks Company. In 1985 Don purchased Mr. Hawks's interest in the partnership and continued operating The Hawks Company with his wife Ann as Limited Partner. In January 2005 Ann passed away after the couple raised six children over their 55 years of marriage. Later that same year, while doing his weekly grocery shopping, Don ran into life-long friend Rita Murphy, who had recently lost her husband Dr. Joseph P. Murphy after 52 years of marriage. That chance meeting led to a whirlwind romance and they were married December 29, 2005. In the early 1950's Don helped build the first Little League ball parks in Casper. He served as a Cub Scout master and as an usher at St. Anthony Church. In 1969 and 1970 Don formed a committee called LEGS (for Let's Eliminate Gangs) with the purpose of raising public attention to the gang activities in Casper. Don enjoyed fly fishing, gardening, working around their cabin on Casper Mountain and playing gin-rummy with many life-long friends. Don was a life-long member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Knights of Columbus, the Casper Petroleum Club and the Casper Country Club. Don is survived by his wife Rita; son Thomas and wife Susan of Casper; son David and wife Becky of Casper; daughter Dona Shockey and husband Gary of Jackson, Wyoming; daughter Laura Claunch and husband Don of Casper; daughter Karla Dundas and husband David of Casper; son Jeffrey and wife Teresa of Casper; sister Wilma Lathrop of Cheyenne, Wyoming; fourteen grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Ann, his parents and one grandson. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 Monday February 12 at St. Anthony's Catholic Church by Fr. Michael Carr. Rite of Committal will be in Highland Cemetery. Visitation will take place Sunday, February 11 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM and Vigil for the Deceased will be recited at 7:00 Sunday at Bustard's Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers gifts to Jason's Friend's Foundation of Casper or Central Wyoming Hospice of Casper would be greatly appreciated by the family. .

Service

Sunday, February 11, 2018 7:00pm

Bustard's Funeral Home

600 CY Avenue

Casper, Wyoming 82601

Visitation

Sunday, February 11, 2018 5:00pm - 7:00pm

Bustard's Funeral Home

600 CY Avenue

Casper, Wyoming 82601