Obituary

On July 28, 2012 Galen Markwick, at the age of 84, quietly passed away at home with his loved ones nearby.

Galen was born in Mt. Shasta, Calif., on Jan. 3, 1928 to Ernest and Elizabeth Markwick. As a young boy, Galen spent time on his grandparents ranch in Gazelle, Calif., near Mt. Shasta, where his step-grandfather Barney McCoy taught him how to hunt and gave him his first fishing rod. In 1935 his parents moved to Fort Bragg, then on to Big River. He attended the Compatch school, which was miles away being a trail over the mountain to school. And, just for the fun of it, sometimes he ran all the way. He kept his family supplied with fish and ducks.

Galen's last move was back to Fort Bragg. In high school he became class president. He also played and enjoyed all sports. Of course football was his favorite and in 1946 his team won the championship. A photo of this victory still hangs in the old high school, and can be found in "Mendocino Coast A Pictorial History" on page 73. After graduating from high school in 1946, Galen joined the U. S. Army serving two years. At first he was given an office job but then later he became a sergeant. When Galen came home from the service he immediately took a hunting trip with his grandfather Barney to Canada. Then he went to work for The Union Lumber Company.

He met the love of his life, Lurline Ceriani, in 1949, and they married on April 16, 1951. Through this union, came three children.

Galen was a modest and honest man; you knew you could depend on him. Though he never liked asking for help, he was always ready to offer his. In 2005 he became ill. He battled his illness bravely and continued to have his wit and wonderful sense of humor. Throughout this long illness he was always appreciative for the help he received.

Galen is survived by his wife, his three children Gwendolyn Price, Link Warren Markwick, Jill Cleo Timpy and five grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and one sister Colleen Gilliam. "We will miss him every day, but he is always in our hearts."

The family wishes to thank the doctors and Meg from Hospice for their dedication to Galen's comfort throughout his illness.

It was Galen's wishes for no services and to leave us with these words: "Think of me with a drink in your hand and remember the good times we shared."

http://www.advocate-news.com

1. ↑ California, United States. California Birth Index, 1905-1995. (Sacramento, CA, USA: California Department of Health Services, Center for Health Statistics.).