Galen Bruce Burden

departed this life on July 10, 2011 at the age of 59 years.

He spent his formative years in the Denison-Sherman area of North

East Texas. He attended and graduated from Pottsboro High School in 1970.

He then continued his formal education at Grayson County Junior College from which, in 1972, he received an Associate of Arts Degree in Machine Tool Technology.

After college, Galen began his career with Texas Instruments working with talented engineers and machinists developing some of the newest and most amazing technology of the decade that was the Seventies. As the workdays ended and Lake Texoma beckoned; Galen spent many enjoyable weekends camping on the infamous Texoma Islands where he and several good friends learned the enjoyment of the outdoors and the boating lifestyle. This would continue to be a recurring theme in Galen’s life.

In the late Seventies, Galen heard the call of the big city and relocated to Houston, Texas where he enjoyed the nightlife, the people, the music scene as well as gainful employment in the prosperous Oil & Gas Production cycle of the mid Eighties. It was also in Houston that Galen met the love of his life Sherri Nett whom would become his wife and long time companion. Galen enjoyed a long time career with Blackburn Manufacturing as the Machining Center Manager where he supervised construction and fabrication of several NASA projects including components for the ISS and SST programs. In 2007 Galen moved over to the Hydril Pressure Control Division of General Electric Oil and Gas as a Buyer and Manufacturer of some of the most sophisticated Oil & Gas BOP (blow out prevention) equipment on the planet. It was at Hydril that the BOP devices were developed which finally ended the Gulf Oil Spill in 2010. He really enjoyed his time and position within the Hydril organization and genuinely liked and respected his many co-workers and friends at GE.

Throughout his life, Galen pursued many aspects of motor sports and competition but his true passion in life was for speed on the water. From the Hemi powered Hondo Flat Bottom that he raced at Aquafest in Austin circa 1975, to the triple-engined Eliminator Daytona he enjoyed on the San Jacinto River in the 1990s, to the highly modified outboard powered drag boats of the last decade, he designed, machined, built and assembled them all with an intensity and enthusiasm rarely seen and seldom duplicated. His many successes on the track were well recognized over the years with many trophies and awards culminating in a Championship winning season in the Pro Fuel Division in 2000.

His knowledge and opinions were instrumental in the formation and rules structure of today’s leading Outboard Racing Organizations known as DSRA and ODBA. He served on the Board of Directors for these groups for many years and was elected to the position of President of the DSRA Organization for the 1997 Racing Season.

Galen has continued his pursuit of engineering excellence by becoming one of the most innovative and sought after engine builders in the outboard racing industry. His machining capabilities and processes have been described as nothing short of artwork on the many exotic racing parts and engines built over the past many years.

His wife Sherri and a 27-year long love affair including 24 years of marriage that will endure forever survive Galen. His mother is Amy E Johnson of Madill, Oklahoma, his Mother in Law Reba Nett of Houston, Texas, his sister Nancy Graf and her husband Don of Kingston, Oklahoma and his brother Bobby Crawford and his wife Terry of Napa, California, also nieces and nephews as well as many wonderful friends and associates have blessed Galen’s life.

Galen would ask that we not dwell too long on his passing, but to remember him for a life led with honesty and integrity, for a commitment to excellence and as a friend to all.

God Speed and Farewell Galen, We love you. In lieu of flowers please make a donation in Galen’s name to the MS Society, http://www.nationalmssociety.org/index.aspx. The American Cancer Society https://www.cancer.org/involved/donate/donateonlinenow/index , or the charity of your choice.