Dorothy Bates Galvin

Dorothy was born on the 23rd of August 1934, in Temple, Texas to Corinne and Clifton H. Bates. Dorothy had two older brothers and two younger brothers. She graduated as valedictorian from A&M Consolidated High School in College Station, Texas and went on to attend Sam Houston State University for two years during which time she met and became engaged to Raymond Galvin. He was to be the love of her life for more than 63 years. They married in September 1953 and began their family in August 1954. Although Dorothy never had the opportunity to complete her formal college education, she spent her lifetime pursuing knowledge in all its forms, selflessly standing alongside Raymond and supporting his career in the oil and gas industry. It was to be a career that spanned over 55 years and took them---sometimes on more than one occasion--to Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma and California.

Dorothy’s faith in God informed every decision she made as a wife, as a mother and as a friend throughout her life. She derived great joy from singing, and she used her musical talents to serve in the Adult Choirs at many of the churches to which she and Raymond belonged over the years including Sharpstown Baptist, Metairie Baptist, First Baptist Katy, and First Baptist Midland. Dorothy also devoted more tha- 20 years to teaching God’s love to five-year old children in Sunday School classes and in Vacation Bible Schools. She was always seeking out creative and memorable ways to show these impressionable youngsters how very much God loved and valued each one of them individually and completely just as they were. She sowed seeds of love, grace and salvation in the lives of countless children over decades of teaching. In addition, one of Dorothy’s favorite places of community service for several years was as President of the Jefferson Parish Homemaker’s Council in New Orleans.

Although the frequent moves that are commonplace in a career in the oil and gas industry sometimes made it difficult to put down roots in church homes, Dorothy and Raymond made lifetime friends at Metairie Baptist Church, and most recently, were members at Tallowood Baptist Church. Despite the challenges Dorothy faced with her health, she served God unwaveringly throughout her time on earth.

Dorothy was committed to being mindful of the needs of others. Her compassion manifested through her actions and her investment in teaching this value to her children. She and Raymond provided a $1 million charitable remainder unitrust to endow the Ray and Dorothy Galvin Undergraduate Student Fund in Engineering at Texas A&M University which focuses on scholarships and program support for women and ethnic minority students in engineering. She also supported numerous charitable organizations such as Houston Hospice, the United Way, St.Jude’s and Texas Children’s Hospitals through a family foundation she and Raymond established.

Although her three grandchildren did not begin to arrive until Dorothy was 68, she made up for lost time with her enjoyment of them. Until they were in school full-time, Fridays with Mimi (and Aunt Sissy) were special times together. Dorothy delighted in Caleb, Carly, and Colton as unique, loving individuals and in their talents as students, athletes, and in musical and theatrical performances.

Dorothy loved to travel with Raymond and some of her favorite memories were made on trips taken with family and friends including two very special trips with her entire family to London and to Singapore. Dorothy also loved the Texas Aggies and held fast to the Texas A&M University traditions she had known all her lifetime. She was also a devoted Houston Astros fan---rarely missing a [televised] game. She was thrilled to see them win another World Series title.

Dorothy will be remembered for her love of quilts and kaleidoscopes, cut glass and gemstones, African Violets and orchids, and butterflies and wildflowers. She will be remembered for her contagious laugh and the dimple she flashed when she smiled. She will be remembered for the care she gave to acknowledging every person she encountered with dignity and respect and for the painstaking efforts she took to learn about and interact with the people whose lives crossed paths with hers. In Hebrew, the meaning of Dorothy is “Gift of God.” She lived her life accordingly.

Dorothy is preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Raymond Elmer Galvin; parents, C.H. and Corinne Bates; and three brothers, Harold Bates, Clifton Bates and Dan Bates.

Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Kathy Galvin of Houston; her son, Mark Galvin of Fulshear; her daughter, Missy Freeman and her three grandchildren, Caleb, Carly, and Colton Freeman of Katy; her brother, Billy Bates and his wife, Carole Bates of Waxahachie; her sister-in-law, Brenda Bates of Midland; and many nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at two o’clock in the afternoon on Friday, the 6th of January at the Aggie Field of Honor & Memorial Cemetery, 3800 Raymond Stotzer Parkway in College Station.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests memorial contributions, in the name of Dorothy Galvin, be directed to the American Heart Association or to a charitable organization of your preference.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.memorialoaksfunerals.com for the Galvin family.