Marilyn Ione (Gillette) Odermann, affectionately known as Mo, was born to Clayton and Helen Gillette…
Alumni Obituary – Galen Myers
Parts of this obituary for Galen Myers was posted by Heritage Funeral Home.
Galen Ray Myers, 78, died peacefully on October 15, 2020. He is now at home with the Heavenly Father. A Godly man, he was a beloved husband, father and grandfather. Galen was born in McPherson, Kansas, January 25, 1942 to John Myers and Esther Helmuth Myers. One of six children. The family later moved near to Wakita, Oklahoma where Galen grew up on the family farm.
He graduated from Wakita High School and went on to college at Central College in McPherson- where he met the love of his life, Violet Hoffman Myers. It was at Central that they adopted the nick-names Ricky and Snuffy. Galen was affectionately called Snuffy the rest of his life. The story goes that Galen, while a student at Central, carved these two names into a tree in the middle of a heart. As time passed he lost track of the tree. About 20 years ago, the College, desired a tree outside of Stoll Hall carved into a Tiger. He said he would pay for that carving if the sculptor would carve “Ricky and Snuffy” into the back of the tree. The College agreed. That wooden Tiger can be seen yet today in the entrance of the Reimer Business Center. If you get a chance, look at the back of the Tiger, you will see the words “Ricky and Snuffy.”
The two were married in 1963. Galen served our country in the US Air Force and later settled in Derby, Kansas, where they raised their three boys.
He was an active member of Derby Friends Church holding several different positions through the years. He worked for Southwest Grease and Oil in Wichita, through mergers and changes that plant became BG Products, where he started as plant manager and ended up as president, CEO and chairman of the board of directors. He served on various organizations and charities and especially enjoyed his service to Central Christian College on their board.
In addition to serving on the board, he was invested in countless other ways at CCCK. For several years Galen was instrumental in hosting the EXCEL Degree Program at the BG Product facility in Wichita. He opened his conference room to the adult students who were blessed with these beautiful facilities. His faithful support of the CCCK basketball program was a tremendous blessing to the athletic development for the college. In 2003, the B.G. Products Business Lecture Series was created in partnership with the business program to provide an annual event for business students to network with well-known speakers and business leaders.
The College honored Galen in 2001 as the Academe of Achiever, an association made up of distinguished and committed alumni and friends of the College. In 2019, he was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame.
Galen often found creative ways to bless the college such as donating 800 lbs of ground beef, fishing trips to Arkansas and frequent telephone calls checking on faculty and staff. If he became aware of any staff members hurting, he was one of the first to step in and help in any way possible.
In addition to his wife Violet, he is survived by his brothers; Milton Myers of Derby, Rev. Lynn Myers of Davison, MI, his sister Fay Myers Nay of Arcola, Il. He is also survived by all three of his sons- Sam Myers (Kim) of Derby, Mike Myers of Wichita and Rev. Ken Myers (Letty) of Kenya, Africa. As well as his four grandchildren, Taylor, Nathan, Nasya and Logan.
Galen loved his God and served Him wholeheartedly, he loved his church, he loved his country, he loved his work- and he especially loved his family.
ABOUT CENTRAL CHRISTIAN COLLEGE OF KANSAS
Central Christian College of Kansas is a four-year collegiate institution that strives to offer Christ-centered education for the whole person through four core characteristics: heart, soul, mind, and strength. Its history dates back to 1884, and it is located in the friendly town of McPherson, Kansas. Central is a strategically small college that offers over forty areas of residential study and a thriving online program for non-traditional students. To learn more about Central, go to centralchristian.edu/about. Visit the Foundation of Central Christian College to see what projects and events are coming up.