John Michael Galagan

The Rev. John Michael Galagan died August 14, 2016, in Bakersfield, CA. He was 87. He was born in Milwaukee, WI on October 5, 1928, to Kathryn (Munro) and Leo Galagan. He was preceded in death by his wife Madeline, on February 13, 2016. They were married for 59 years. He is survived by his five children, David Galagan, Michael Galagan (Christine), Carol Galagan, James Galagan, and Peter Galagan (Jennifer). He was proud of each of his seven grandchildren, Nicholas, Heidi, Benjamin, Catherine, Gustav, Jacob, and Samuel. Fr. John received his B.A. in English from UOP in 1950 and earned his Master of Divinity from CDSP in 1955. He served as a Methodist Church Chaplain from '50-'53 before joining the Episcopal Church. Fr. John was ordained an Episcopal Deacon June '55 and an Episcopal Priest Dec. '55. He was the founding vicar of St. Mark's, Santa Clara, CA ('55-'57). He served as chaplain to Soledad State Prison and vicar of Trinity Church, Gonzales, CA ('57-'58); St. Mark's, Ritzville, WA and St. Dunstan's, Coulee Dam, WA, ('58-'61); St. Luke's, Vancouver, WA ('61-'64); St. James, Tigard, OR ('64-'67); St. Barnabas, McMinnville, OR ('67-'75); St. James, Riverton, WY ('75-'81); St. Luke's, Bakersfield ('81-'84); Executive Director of Kern Hospice ('84-'87); St. Jude's, Tehachapi ('87-2003).Although he retired on his 72nd birthday in 2003, he continued to serve the church, helping out where needed. Before his death, he had been an ordained Episcopal/Anglican priest for 60 years. He was a beloved priest, husband, father, and grandfather and will be profoundly missed and never forgotten.A celebration of his life will be held at All Saints Anglican Church on September 10, 2016 at 1:00 P.M, 3200 Gosford Road, Bakersfield.