Galen Duane Smith, 81, Hill City, Kansas, passed away April 9, 2023, in Hill City, with his family present. Galen was the youngest of three children born February 18, 1942, in Hill City to Lee and Maggie (Post) Smith. He attended the local schools and graduated from Hill City High School.
After graduation, Galen went to work doing small jobs with his dad and quickly worked his way into a position learning electrical work so he could become a lineman. He soon met his bride-to-be, Mary Scott, at a small-town dance in Lenora. He spoke many times of the trips he made from Hill City to Lenora to see her, laughing about his speeding there in either his smoking old Oldsmobile or on his motorcycle.
Galen and Mary were married September 27, 1959, in Norton. Their first child, James, was born in 1960 and Joseph arrived in 1963. Galen moved his family into parts of Colorado, Western Kansas, and Nebraska where he worked building and helping supply power lines across rural areas to several communities. In 1965, their daughter Jennifer was born in Hill City. A year later their daughter Julie was born. The family moved to Clifton, Colorado, to be closer to Mary’s family. Galen worked as a cabinet maker and on a local drilling rig. After returning to Hill City, Galen went to work for the city. Then he worked for a local electrical company putting his lineman experience to use. As the need for electrical work slowed down in the area, Galen took a job in the oilfield checking pumping units for local oil companies. With the birth of their son Jason in 1974, their family was complete. Galen remained in Hill City working as a contract pumper until his retirement.
Galen had a zest for life. Keeping busy was the key to his happiness. He was always there to help his children and grandchildren with anything from pulling them in wagons, teaching them to ride a bike, to helping and showing them how to fix just about everything. A hobby he enjoyed was woodworking. He took the time to build small projects as gifts for several of his grandchildren. His love for fishing and hunting was passed down to the following generations. He especially loved seeing his grandchildren’s first cast of a fishing pole and walking in line with the boys on pheasant hunts. He looked forward to morning coffee with his friends, just so they could share the stories of the good old days. Galen always had a kind word toward others to help them see that no matter the struggles they faced, everything would work out for the best. His love for life and caring for others were his passions.
Galen was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mary, and his infant daughter Jennifer Ann. Survivors left to cherish his memory are his brother Irwin “Huck” Smith and wife Shirley of Hill City; a sister Devera Baalman of Cimarron; his children James Smith and wife Kameo of Hill City, Joseph Smith and fiancé Glenda Meyer of Hill City, Julie Breinig and husband Donnie of Bogue, and Jason Smith and wife Dawn Powell of Hill City; 10 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
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