James Galen
James Ronald Galen (Jim) from Bellingham, WA passed away peacefully at the age of 87 on April 20, 2023.
Jim was born on June 8, 1935 to Emil Galen (Johnny) and Eva Gertrude Smedley in Bellingham. He attended school in the Meridian School District. He began work at Mt. Baker plywood at 17 as a log roller but eventually started work where he would find his long-term career in sales. First in cars then pole buildings for Texmo. He was a self-taught draftsman and decided to go into business for himself and opened Pacific Farm Buildings. Jim also enjoyed living and working on his farm in Bellingham where he raised and bred purebred Arabian horses. He later transitioned the farm to registered Black Angus and Charolais. The farm was Whatcom County’s pioneer in crossbreeding the two with up to 60 head of cattle at a time.
In 1960 Jim met Hazel Jean Jones, the two got married Feb. 4, 1961 and were married 62 years. They had two daughters: Gina Marie Galen and Kimberly Jean Galen.
Jim decided to retire and sell his company in 1985 and spent most of his time engaging in his favorite hobby, restoring and showing antique tractors.
Jim is predeceased by his mother, Gertrude and his father Emil as well as his brother Richard Galen and sister Betty Summers. He is survived by his wife Hazel Galen and his daughters Gina McCracken and Kim Morrow as well as his grandchildren James Galen-Abbitt, Hailey McCracken, Alicia Berk-Sohn, Derek Morrow and Levi Morrow and finally his great-grandchildren Tristan Galen and Maddox Galen.
Services for Jim will be limited to immediate family at this time. There will be a celebration of life for Jim this summer, date to be determined.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Moles Farewell Tributes.
