Henry George Galloway

Hank was born in Jacksonville, Florida on January 28, 1930. He knew he had a calling as a pastor from a young age; he graduated Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC in 1951. Even at school, Hank was a dedicated team player. He was by no means a football star, but after getting put into a tied game in the fourth quarter, Hank unexpectedly - even to him - scored the winning touchdown. Even at his 50th college reunion he was still known as Mr. Six-Points!

After serving as a Lieutenant in the Navy during the Korean War, he later went on to get his master’s and eventual doctorate in Ministry from Emory University in 1984. He had a love for his Savior and a passion for the church that was truly his life’s purpose. His first church as senior pastor was located in Plantation, Florida that he raised from the ground up - quite literally, as the site he had been assigned to had no building, just a grassy lot with wildlife as the residing parishioners. That church eventually became Plantation United Methodist Church, which he truly felt was his “baby.” By the time he moved from there, it had become one of the stronger churches in the Florida Annual Conference.

After serving in Plantation, Hank was sent to several churches around the state of Florida to continue his service to the Lord. He eventually wrote a book, Growing a Church for All People, written over seven years and published in 1977. He believed wholeheartedly that the church was a place that every single person should feel welcome, and he pursued engaging the community and sharing the good news with everyone he could, in whatever way he could. From having one-on-one coffee talks, to covered-dish dinners for church members, to summer camps for local children, he knew the importance of demonstrating service in sharing God’s love.

Hank’s true love was his wife of 51 years, Jackie. Jackie and Hank met in 1971 and married on June 16, 1974. Jackie became an integral part of Hank’s ministry, and together they were an exceptional team. The first church they served as a married couple was Florida United Methodist Children’s Home as the director of development, followed by Titusville First Church, and several other locations as appointed by the bishop. Hank “retired” in 1995, but would still go to various churches as there was a need for extra help. He eventually became head pastor of another church in 2011, a testament to both Hank’s love for the church and his strength as a pastor. He was 87 years old when he finally fully retired, and still he and Jackie met with the members of that final church on the first Wednesday of every month for years after.

Hank was a patient, kind-hearted, and truly loving man. He knew that to be a good pastor - a good father, or husband - was to be a good shepherd. He had two sons, two daughters, eight grandchildren, and several great-grandchildren that he loved fiercely, and was incredibly proud of. To know Hank was to experience a singularly benevolent man who could find connection and community with anyone lucky enough to cross his path.

A memorial service will be held on April 21st at 11 am at the Palma Ceia Methodist Church in Tampa, Florida. Address is 3723 W Bay to Bay Blvd, Tampa, FL 33629. A reception will be held immediately following the service, in the Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home in Enterprise Florida (now called Residing Hope) at residinghope.org

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah 6:8