James Galey

January 14, 1928 - November 6, 2021

James Oscar Galey, 93, passed away on November 6, 2021 after a long and well-lived life. He was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Adah Galey, his wife of 60 years, Doris Marie Pleasants Galey, and a son, James Roy Galey. James and Doris met in second grade at Treadwell School. James served as a corpsman in the Korean War and graduated from Vanderbilt University with a degree in chemical engineering before returning to Memphis to settle down. Although James and Doris had not been seeing each other before he returned, he told her that she should clear her social calendar when they reconnected. They became and remained inseparable until her death in 2012. James and Doris attended and were members of Highland Heights Baptist Church for over half a century. James worked for Bryce Chemical, Goodbody Financial, Dean Witter, and the Internal Revenue Service before retirement. James had a lifelong curiosity and love of learning, which he passed to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He loved travel, particularly camping, and took every opportunity to experience the country with friends and family. While in Memphis, James and Doris's house was at the center of family gatherings, large and small. They hosted fondly remembered family dinners with children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren every Sunday night, as well as helping to host day-long celebrations for holidays such as Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving. James is survived and deeply missed by his siblings, Gene Gailey and Carolyn Childs; children, Carol Hoyle and Kenneth Galey (Cindy); grandchildren Kaye Ford (Shannon), James "Lee" Hoyle (Sarah), Maribeth Hoyle, John Michael Hoyle (Lucy), Lauren McGee (Lance), Jessica Cain (Matt), Daniel Galey (Audrey), and Joshua Galey; and great-grandchildren Caleb Brown, Watson James Ford, Brandt Ford, Alania Hoyle, Elsie Hoyle, Penelope Hoyle, Isabel Hoyle, Melody Hoyle, Luke Hoyle, Charlotte Cain, Hollis Cain, Rose Galey, and Levi Galey. The family will receive friends from 9-10am on Thursday, November 11, at Memorial Park Funeral Home. A private service will be held at 10:30 am that morning, also at Memorial Park Funeral Home. Internment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials in memory of James O. Galey to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Thank you for your attention and please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or issues.