July 27, 1937 — October 6, 2024
A Mass for Christian Burial for Charles Galbraith, age 87, of Enid, will be 9:00 am, Thursday, October 17, 2024, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, with Father Mark Mason officiating. Burial will follow at 2:00 pm, at Ft. Sill National Cemetery, Elgin, Oklahoma, with The United States Navy and Stephens County Honor Guard providing full military honors. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home and Crematory.
Charles Willis Galbraith was born in Urbana, IL on 27, July 1937, to Edgar and Helen (Denmark) Galbraith, and passed away Sunday, October 6, 2024 in Enid. Over the next several years, he moved several times around the state before moving to Emporia, KS, where he attended school before moving again to Hays, KS, where he graduated from Hays High School in 1955. He entered the US Navy and spent 20 years in service before retiring in the Philippines.
During the time he lived in Angeles City, PI, he was involved with the American Legion, opened VFW Post 2485, ran bingo twice a week, was a dart player, ran a club, and played in various sports.
On 30-31, May 1955, he transferred from the US Army National Guard and enlisted in the US Navy. He transferred to NTC Great Lakes, IL for radio school on 1, Sept. 1955. He transferred to USS Randolph (CVA-15) on 31, Dec 1955. On 7, Mar 1957, he transferred to FASW-1, Elizabeth City, NC. FASW-1 moved to Naval Station, Lakehurst, NJ where he changed ratings from YN2 to PC2. He married Ruth Lyons, and they had three children; Charles, Kimberly, and David. He became a Trusty Shellback when he crossed the equator on 27, Oct 1966. On 6, Oct 1968, he transferred to Naval School Command, Mare Island, Vallejo, CA. From there, he transferred to USS Ranger (CVA-61) on 4, Mar 1969. He finally transferred to NAS Cubi Point, Philippines and ended up retiring in the Phillippines as PC1 on 1, Aug, 1974.
On 22, Apr 1986, he married Rosita (Rose) Pereabras in the Philippines, and they had two children, Jaclyn and Richard. Charles and Rose opened a clothing store, selling clothes that she hand-made, because she was a very talented tailor. In May 1989, the base agreement changed and wasn't renewed, so they decided to move to Oklahoma in order to be closer to his sister, coincidently around the time the Taal volcano erupted and destroyed Clark AFB. Charles, Rose, and the kids ended up living in Enid, OK.
Charles was awarded several medals, badges, commendations, and awards while serving his country, including the following awards; Navy Good Conduct Medal, Third Award for Period Ending 16, Nov 72, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korea), Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, RVN Meritorious Unit Commendation, Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Commendation, Navy Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, Navy E, Navy Expeditionary, AM Defense, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service, Republic of Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign.
He is preceded in death by his father, Edgar Doyle Galbraith, mother, Helen Annette Denmark; son, David Ronald Joseph Galbraith, and sister, Ruth Ann Metzger.
He is survived by his four children, Charles, Kimberly, Jaclyn, and Richard; nine grandchildren; Meghan, Justin, Stephanie, Ryan, Ashyr, Asah, Kimberlyn, Derryck, and Nathan; six great-grandchildren, Reilly, Cecelia, Sage, Samir, Liam, and Everleigh, as well as brother-in-law, Alvin Metzger and the rest of the family in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania.
Memorial contributions in honor of Charles may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital with Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home serving as custodian of the funds.
Condolences may be made to the family online at www.LadusauEvans.com. Ladusau-Evans has been serving the families of the Enid Community and surrounding areas for over 40 years with compassionate service and dedication. They provide families with an open door policy. Feel free to contact them 24 hours a day. Visitation Hours: 8:00 am – 9:00 pm daily, 2800 N. Van Buren, Enid, OK 73703. Call: (580) 233-1400.
