Charles Eugene Gallaway was born August 29, 1925, at home in Meeker, OK, to the late Arthur Joseph “A.J.” and Ada Maude(Boland)Gallaway. He passed from this life on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, in Marlow, at the age of 101 years, 1 month and 1 day.
A veteran of World War II, being drafted during his senior year, Charles served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps in France. Due to his deployment, Charles was not present for his high school graduation ceremony, so his mother proudly accepted his diploma. Inamemorablemoment during his service, he treated a patient who turned out to be a former Meeker classmate. Following the war, he began a career at Tinker Air Force Base as an aircraft mechanic, where he worked until retiring on his 55th birthday in 1980.
During his retirement years, Charles enjoyed farming and raising cattle. He also enjoyed spending much of his free time, tooling leather, and doing woodwork.
Charles married Eva Paralee Kirchmeier onAugust 25, 1949, and together they shared 55 years of marriage until her passing on July 15, 2005. He later married Janice Kirchmeier on February 3, 2007, and the couple enjoyed 19 years together.
Throughout his life, Charles was a faithful member of the Mammoth Baptist Church in Meeker and gave his time volunteering at Meeker Elementary School. He loved watching Oklahoma State Cowboys football, spending Christmas with family, and never turning down a good steak.
Survivors include his wife Janice; two sons, Ronnie Gallaway of Nowata andDavidGallaway&wife Janie of Davis; daughterin- law, Lisa Gallaway, of Oklahoma City; four grandchildren, Amanda Henley & husband Lee, Laura Goodin & husband Phil, Cole Gallaway & wife Caroline, and Randis Butts & husband Zack; eight great-grandchildren, Jesse & Emerson Henley, Isabella & Sawyer Goodin, Max & Gabe Gallaway, and Bodie & Quinn Butts; two stepsons, Steve Kirchmeier & wife Cinta, and Randy Kirchmeier & wife Shawnda;aswellasnumerous other extended family members.
In addition to his wife Eva, and his parents, Charles was preceded in death by one son, Max Gallaway; granddaughter, Rachel Gallaway; and his two siblings, Houston Gallaway and Tressie Brown Graveside services, with military honors, will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, October 3, 2026, at the New Hope Cemetery, in Meeker, OK.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Mammoth Baptist Church in Meeker in memory of Charles.
The Gallaway family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the staff ofWestWindAssisted LivingandRefugeHospice for the care and compassion given to Charles during his final years.
Services have been “Entrusted to” HALE’S FUNERAL HOME, of DAVIS, OK. Online condolences may be offered at halesfuneralhomes.com.