Jack Bassham Galbreath

Jack Bassham Galbreath

April 21, 1942 - September 16, 2023

Jack Bassham Galbreath passed away on Saturday, September 16th, 2023 with his family by his side. He was 81 years old.

Jack was born in Davenport, Iowa on April 21, 1942 to John Baylor Galbreath and Francis Bassham Galbreath. He was grandson to Royer Edwin Galbreath and Mabel Esther Fish Galbreath and Crockett Anderson Bassham and Ida Mae Hounshel Bassham. He grew up in Williamsburg, Kentucky where he graduated High School and completed two years at Cumberland College. He joined the Navy in 1961 and served 4 years on the USS Coral Sea Aircraft Carrier as an Aviation Electronics Technician for the ships plane during the Vietnam War. After completing his service in the Navy, he got his pilot's license, commercial pilot's license and his instrument rating.

Jack married the love of his life, Wilma Jean Shelton, on his 20th birthday during a weekend leave from the Navy. They lived in Kentucky and Illinois in the early years but moved to Houston, Texas in 1976 where they planted their roots. Jack and Wilma raised three children and are blessed with 8 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. This year, Jack and Wilma celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary.

Jack was an avid reader, enjoyed cars with big engines, telling tall tales to his grandchildren, jokes to friends and hospital staff, back rubs, and food. He was blessed with musical talent. He played the piano and the saxophone and had a wonderful bass voice. He was a proud member of the Navy's Blue Jackets Choir as well as several church choirs. In his professional life, he traveled extensively; Africa, Saudi Arabia, New Guinea to name a few.

Jack was preceded in death by his grandparents and parents.

Jack is survived by his wife, Wilma Galbreath, daughter Jeanne Symmank and her husband David; daughter Ruth Keller and her husband Michael, and son Jim Brady Galbreath and his wife Jennifer. Eight grandchildren; Stephanie Mullings and her husband Greg, Kristen Symmank and Tyler Stahl, Brandon Symmank, Kerby Blanchard and her husband Thomas, Jaxson Galbreath, Paulina Galbreath, Kyla Galbreath, and Ava Galbreath. Three great grandchildren; Brody Mullings, Brielle Mullings, and Blanche Blanchard. He is also survived by two brothers, William Brady Galbreath and wife Paula, and James Burns Galbreath and his wife Sandra as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and in-laws.

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