On April 17, 2025, John F. Galloway- beloved father, husband, ex-husband, brother, friend, adventurer, and unrepentant life enthusiast- exited the stage. In true John fashion, he left us mid-adventure, with plans still on the calendar, bags half-packed for Egypt, and the kind of energy that made you assume he’d outlive us all. But if there’s anyone who knew how to face the curtain with a bow, it was him.

If you knew John, you probably have a story (or ten) that starts with, “You’re not going to believe this, but…” and ends with laughter, amazement, or possibly someone calling security. He lived by his own motto, “Fast Lane or Dead Stop,” and while we are devastated to be at a full stop without him, we take comfort in knowing he lived every day with joy, irreverence, and boundless spirit.

In lieu of flowers or other tributes, our family is asking that donations be made in John’s honor to The Guardsmen , an organization that meant the world to him. John moved to California from England in 1975 at the age of 25, not knowing a single soul. And while his personality was anything but small, even he admitted that those early days were lonely. That changed when he entered the orbit of The Guardsmen— a volunteer organization that quickly became his chosen family. The friendships he forged there — over decades of fundraising, Encampments, and probably (definitely) more than a few “unsanctioned” social gatherings — were among the deepest and most enduring of his life. The Guardsmen didn’t just give him purpose; they gave him a community that embraced his charisma, his mischief, and most of all, his heart.

From The Guardsmen waiting list in 1979, to officially joining in 1980 as the youngest member ever to be inducted, to becoming a Member for Life and Hall of Famer in 1997, to attending a members dinner 2025 the very same week he left us, John wholly supported their mission: helping Bay Area youth gain access to educational and outdoor opportunities. But if you asked him, he might say he was just there for the parties — a classic John deflection. But behind that rakish smile and rock-star persona was someone who cared deeply, gave generously, and showed up for people in ways big and small.

Although John self-described as more as a “fun-raiser” than a fundraiser- a bit of a personality hire, if we’re being honest- it’s never too late to boost those numbers. He raised some hell with the Guardsmen in life, and we know he’d absolutely love the idea of raising funds for them from heaven.

So if John ever made you laugh until you cried, talked you into something that was a good idea in the moment and a good story later (best not to dwell on the in-between!), or showed up when you needed a friend — we hope you'll consider giving to The Guardsmen in his memory and know that $1 dollar would mean as much to him as $100. Let’s honor him the same way he lived: with laughter, mischief, and a legacy that continues to lift others up, Fast Lane or Dead Stop.