Max Ray Gallaway (August 25, 1960 - April 26, 2024) Marlow, OK

Max Ray Gallaway passed away on April 26, 2024, at the age of 63. He was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma, on August 25, 1960, to Eva (Kirchmeier) and Charles Gallaway. Max attended White Rock Elementary School through 8th grade and graduated from Meeker High School in 1978. After high school graduation, he immediately moved to Stillwater to attend Oklahoma State University.

During his college years, he worked and lived at the Beef Barn, worked for a local rancher and was a member of the 1981 National Championship Livestock Judging Team. While at OSU, Max met the love of his life, Lisa Dick, of Norman, Oklahoma, both of whom graduated in 1982 with Bachelor of Science degrees in Animal Science. Max and Lisa were married that same year in Stillwater and would have celebrated their 42nd wedding anniversary in May. Max and Lisa have two children, Cole (1984) and Randis (1986).

After graduation, Max and Lisa briefly moved to Perry, Oklahoma, before starting his career with OSU Extension in Duncan, Oklahoma, as 4-H Agent in 1984. Max and his young family moved to Grady County (1986) and Roger Mills County (1990) serving as 4-H Agent and Agriculture Educator/Extension Agent and County Extension Director (CED), respectively. Max's final move came in 1993 when he returned to Stephens County to serve as the Agriculture Educator/Extension Agent and CED. He remained in Stephens County until his retirement from OSU Extension in December 2016 after 32 years of service.

Throughout his career and public service existence, Max touched numerous lives including youth in 4-H, folks in town with bug, tree, and grass questions, as well as helping farmers and ranchers with livestock, fertilizer, or insecticide questions, among many other things. Max had a way of giving his entire self to the agricultural community without taking away from his family, all the while with a dry sense of humor and constant smile. Max was the calm in the chaos. In his spare time, Max found time to cultivate his extensive hobby of leather work. Max made numerous special, personal, and unique items including belts, koozies, journals, and wallets for friends and family.

Max was preceded in death, by his mother, Eva Gallaway; father-in-law, Dr. Kenneth E. Dick; and mother-in-law, Dr. Leah Dell Phillips Dick.

He is survived by his wife, Lisa Gallaway of Duncan, Oklahoma; son Cole Gallaway, wife Caroline, children Max and Gabe of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; daughter, Randis Gallaway Butts, husband Zack, children Bodie and Quinn of Midland, Texas; father, Charles Gallaway, wife Janice of Marlow, Oklahoma; brothers Ron Gallaway of Nowata, Oklahoma; David Gallaway, and wife Janie of Davis, Oklahoma; brothers-in-law Barry Dick, and wife Joan, currently serving as missionaries in the Philippines; and Gene Dick, and wife Kim of Springfield, Missouri; among extended family and an outstanding network of friends who all loved him. Max lived his life to the fullest, the way he wanted, and with no regrets. Max's greatest legacy is the wonderful memories he left behind.

A memorial service is planned for 2 p.m., Friday, May 3, at the Stephens County Fair and Expo Center, North Arena, located at 2002 S. 13th Street in Duncan. Officiating is Pastor Lisa Beavers of Duncan New Beginnings Methodist Church. Arrangements have been entrusted to Whitt Funeral Home/Oakcrest Cremation Center.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to Duncan New Beginnings Methodist Church Missions and Outreach group, of which Max was the Chairman. He had the vision to start a community garden. These Donations in Max's honor will be impactful for DNBMC and the community.

Please use the link below to donate via PayPal or a check can be sent to the following address:

Legacy Bank

c/o DNBMC Mission Acct

3696 N Hwy 81

Duncan, OK 73533

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=Q6TNS2XGX83N6