John J. Galland

John Jay (Jack) Galland was born November 11, 1921 in Buffalo, NY to Jean Eleanor (Trattner) Galland and John J. Galland. Beginning at age 5, he was raised by his mother, a working single parent in Cleveland, Ohio. She enrolled Jack in a Boy Scout troop under the leadership of scoutmaster Charles Arthur Evans. Charles took Jack into his home, while Jean was relocating to Columbus, Ohio to accept another job. Jack was 11-years old at the time and he meet for the first time Charles' daughter, 5-year old Anna Elizabeth Evans, who later would become Jack's wife.

During high school, Jack played drums in a swing band where his fondness for music began. Following high school, Jack enrolled in The Ohio State University, where he studied to become a social worker and played in The Ohio State University Marching Band.

Jack was in the Army Air Corps during World War II. His service brought him to Lowry Air Force Base in Colorado where he received his military training. Jack became an instructor at the base and met Lloyd Hammond, who would become a life-long friend. As the war progressed, Jack and Lloyd were transported to the China-Burma-India theater to join the 14th Army Air Corps Flying Tigers where they armored the aircraft that were instrumental in securing an Allied victory.

After completing his service, Jack returned to Cleveland, Ohio where, through the GI-Bill, he continued his university education in social work at Western Reserve University (later Case-Western Reserve) and at what would become Cleveland State University. To further support himself, he worked as a social worker at the Merit Settlement House.

Jack reconnected with the Evans family and married Anna on October 18, 1947. Together, Anna and Jack worked to create an environment to raise a family and participate in their community. Toward these goals, Jack became scoutmaster of troop 312 and continued serving the Boy Scouts for another 30 years. Jack and Anna became actively involved in

the Methodist Church. Jack was a Sunday school teacher and also served as a church board member at each of the churches where they were members.

In order to better support their household, Jack left college and accepted a marketing position at the Gibson-Homans Paint Company. Nine years later, Jack, Anna, and John their 7-year old son and Linda their one-year old daughter, returned to Colorado, a place Jack loved since his military training days. This move reunited him with his dear friend Lloyd and his new family. Jack started his own paint business and becoming established in the community. Soon after, his mother, Jean, moved to Colorado to be close to her son. Anna's parents and sister also moved to Colorado to complete the family move. In 1960, son Dean was born. Over the subsequent years, Jack's life was enriched further by six grandchildren and one great grandchild.

When Jack left the paint business, he became an insurance agent for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. There he received many awards, but more importantly, he made many life-long friends. One in particular, is Harold Eledge whom he was proud to have as a friend for over 40 years. He retired from Metropolitan, but not one to be idle; he became an agent for Prudential Life Insurance Company. Following retirement from Prudential, he became an agent for Jackson Life insurance Company.

The Golden Landmarks Association reported that Jack was the "Heart and Soul" of the Jefferson Symphony Orchestra". The Mayor of Golden proclaimed that during Jack's 32- year service to the Symphony he was "President, Business Manager, Chairman of the Board, Marketing Director, Strategic Planner, Chief Promoter, Grant Writer, Fund Raiser, Spokesman, and ticket-taker for the orchestra". Often he was seen moving tympani and other heavy equipment to aid in setting up the stage for performances. The symphony was his passion in life. During his tenure at the symphony, Jack valued his relationships with Conductors William Morris, Steven Mallinson and David Ackerman and office staff member Monika Taylor and Jean Loucks. Jack began the Young Artists Competition, the Summer-in-the-Parks Pops Program, and an outreach program to the Jefferson County Public School System. He expanded the types of music played by the symphony and its performances. He grew the budget of the orchestra 6-fold and made the symphony a more integral part of the community and expanded its reputation as the world's foremost all-volunteer orchestra. In addition to his volunteer work for the Jefferson Symphony, he established the South Jefferson County Youth Orchestra, where aspiring musicians could hone their skills and display them to the community.

Jack placed high value to community service, so Jack was honored to be invited to join the Rotary Club of Golden. He was especially proud to

have served as a committee member for the club's Scholarship Program for deserving students at Golden High School and the Warren Technological Center. In earlier times Jack was a member of the Aurora, Colorado Kiwanis Club.

Jack also volunteered time to the American Cancer Society and to the Denver Junior Police Bands, for whom he taught percussion.

Jack was both honored and humbled to be recognized for his service. Over the years, Jack received many awards including the "Service Above Self Award" from the Rotary Club of Golden; the "Inspiring Creativity through the Arts in Jefferson County Award" from the Good News Coalition, and the 2007 "Living Landmark Award" from the Golden Landmarks Association. The mayor of Golden, Colorado declared June 21, 2002 as "Jack Galland Day".

Jack Galland lived an extremely full 91 years of life, 45 of those here in Golden. Here he met neighbors Warren and Nancy Andrews and Steven and Terri Kindsfather. Last October Anna and Jack celebrated 65-years together. In his limited spare time, he enjoyed working the daily crossword puzzles and keeping up on advances in technology. But most importantly, Jack valued his family and the relationships he built throughout all of his very active life. Today we celebrate the friendship, love and life of Jack Galland.

Services will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 1500 Ford Street, Golden, CO. Visitation from 10:00am to 11:00am with a Funeral Service at 11:00am. Committal with Military Honors will follow church services at the Golden Cemetery, 755 Ulysses Street, Golden, CO.

A Reception will be held immediately after the committal from 1:00 - 3:00 pm at The Club at Rolling Hills, 15707 West 26th Avenue, Golden, CO 80401.

Donations in honor of Jack Galland may be made to The Jack Galland Memorial Fund, The Jefferson Symphony Orchestra, P.O. Box 546, Golden, CO 80402