JAMES GALBAVY obituary

James Edward Galbavy, 62, died in his sleep at his home in Havre on Tuesday, March 1, 2005.

A funeral service was held Friday morning in the Messiah Lutheran Church in Havre. Burial with military honors followed in the Highland Cemetery, with the

Havre VFW providing the 21-gun salute. Members of the Havre Fire Department provided an honor guard as he was carried to his final resting place.

Jim was born in Butte on Nov. 18, 1942, to Samuel and Elsie (Faechner) Galbavy. He was raised and attended school in Box Elder, and played basketball for the Box Elder Bears. In 1961, he joined the U.S. Navy and served on destroyer class warships. He received his honorable discharge from the Navy in 1965.

In 1966, Jim joined the Havre Fire Department and served as a firefighter for 20 years, retiring in 1986. Not ready for full retirement, he went to work at the Air Force base located north of Havre and worked there from 1986 to 1992. He was currently employed at the Eagles Manor in Havre.

On May 20, 1967 Jim married Kathleen "Kitty" Kase in Havre. They had two daughters. The couple later divorced.

Jim was an active participant in softball and an avid billiard player. He was a member of the Havre Eagles and VFW for many years. He enjoyed camping and spending time outdoors. He also loved to travel, especially when it was associated with his beloved Havre Blue Ponies. For 25 years, he drove the team bus for the Blue Ponies as they traveled to competitions all over the state. That way he got to be there to cheer them on and travel with them.

Jim was an ardent supporter of all local sports, even if it meant cheering for the Sugarbeeters in support of his granddaughters. He truly loved and adored his five grandchildren and took every opportunity to brag about them. He would do whatever it took to spend time with them or attend their sporting activities.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one nephew.

Survivors include his daughters, Keri (Keith) Hanson of Chinook and Kristy Otto of Great Falls; sisters, Betty Olson of Havre and Millie (Terry) Mauck of Oregon; brothers, Sam Galbavy of Eureka and Steve Galbavy of Box Elder; five grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and fiance, Pam Kuhr of Havre.

Memorials are suggested in Jim's name to the Eagles Club Charities or to the Havre Blue Pony Booster Club.

Arrangements were by Edwards Funeral Home of Chinook.