David Joe Galloway was born on September 3, 1938 in Pawnee, OK to David Noel and Roberta Elizabeth (Cunningham) Galloway . He attended schools in Pawnee and Quay, before graduating from Stillwater C.E. Donart High School. Following high school, Joe spent 6 years in the U.S. Army serving as an M.P. during the Cuban Missile Crisis and teaching the Germany military proper missile firing protocol.

Joe was honorably discharged from the Army and returned to Stillwater to work as a Police Officer at Oklahoma State University. Several years later, Joe left OSU and worked as an officer in Edmond before leaving to work for the Perkins Police Dept. It was in Perkins that Officer Galloway responded to the call of young female throwing cherry bombs inside city limits. Joe made contact with the suspect, Claudia Sue McCullough, issued her a warning and convinced her to spend the next 43 years as his wife.

During Joe’s 40 year law enforcement career he would go on to work for the Payne County Sheriff’s Department, Cushing Police Department, the Logan County Sheriff Department, and the Crescent Police Department, where he would also serve as the acting city manager. In the mid 70’s Joe accepted a position as the Police Chief in Coyle, where he would serve for 25 years. While in Coyle, Joe also was a member of the Coyle Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years and spent two terms as the Mayor. Joe retired from law enforcement and joined Sue at Stillwater’s Walmart store #137, where he worked for more than a decade as an assembler before retiring in 2012. He enjoyed his time at Walmart and made many wonderful friends there. His favorite part of working at Walmart was being able to ride to work and go to lunch daily with the love of his life, Sue.

When Joe was not working he enjoyed traveling to Branson with his grandchildren. Joe and Sue have become a staple at Buffalo Wild Wings, where they sat in the same table each time they went and made many special friends as well. Joe loved to mow his yard, fishing, working on old cars, making wood furniture and crafts, and spending time with his animals.

Joe Galloway was an ornery guy who had a big heart. He was generous, outgoing, and he never met a stranger. He would strike up a conversation with anyone and he always had a story to tell. Joe’s smile could light up a room and he never missed a chance to make others smile. Joe Galloway was a loyal husband, a dedicated father, a proud grandpa, a hardworking employee, a selfless public servant, and a trusted friend.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Annie, four brothers, one niece, and one nephew. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Sue Galloway, of the home; one son, Dennis Joe Galloway and wife Vicky, of McCune, KS; one daughter Melissa Sue Davis and husband John, of Coyle, OK. Grandchildren: Landon Davis, Trace Dawes, Makayla Dawes, Justin Galloway, Kayla Donaldson and husband DJ, Tiffany Hudson and husband Coby; two sisters, Judy Chase and Denell Galloway. He is also survived by five great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in Joe’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association.