Gaye Lynn Galvan

Gaye L. Galvan Gaye passed away peacefully at her home on January 17, 2017. She was born in Silverton, Texas, the daughter of Roland and Henrietta Salmon. She grew up in Lakeview, Texas and attended Lakeview schools, attending Clarendon, Texas Junior College for 1 year. In 1959 she joined the U.S. Marine Corps and went to "boot camp" at Parris Island, S.C. After boot camp she was transferred to Camp Lejune, N.C., where she worked in personnel as a classification clerk. In 1962, she was selected to attend Recruiter's School, which upon completion she was assigned as the Womens Marine Recruiter for Southern California, Arizona and Nevada. While on recruiting duty she met George Galvan, also a Marine and they were married on July 31, 1964. A week later George was transferred to Hawaii and she joined him in October of 1964. George was sent to Vietnam in February of 1965 and she remained in Hawaii working for the Camp Controller until her enlistment was up. When George returned from Vietnam, he was assigned to open a Recruiting Office in San Luis Obispo and while in San Luis Obispo Gaye worked for a CPA until September of 1968, when her daughter was born. In December of 1968 George returned to Vietnam and Gaye stayed in San Luis Obispo with her daughter. When George returned from Vietnam he was transferred to Hunters Point Naval Station, where their son was born. When George retired from the Marine Corps the family moved back to San Luis Obispo and Gaye began her career as a full-time mom and professional volunteer. Gaye was elected President of the Playhouse Nursery School in San Luis Obispo. When the family moved to South Atascadero, the children attended Santa Margarita Elementary School. Gaye was elected President of the Santa Margarita PTA and became a soccer mom and 4-H Leader. In 1981 she was appointed to the San Luis Obispo County Board of Education, serving until her death. In 1996 she was elected to the Cuesta Community College Board of Trustees and served for 16 plus years on the Cuesta Board. Gaye was also very proud of the role she played in starting a Friday Night Live program in San Luis Obispo with Frank Warren. During this time she was appointed to the State Advisory Group for Juvenile Justice and Delinquency by Governor Pete Wilson. She also served on the County Civil Service Commission for four years, as well as the Atascadero State Hospital Board. Gaye was most notably known for her efforts, along with Dr. Ken Palmer, to bring the Grizzly Academy to San Luis Obispo. She worked hard to convince the National Guard and the State Board of Education to approve the Academy. She also convinced Governor Pete Wilson that he should authorize the creation of the Academy at Camp San Luis Obispo. With the support of then Assemblyman, Tom Bordonaro, the Grizzly Academy was created. The Academy has earned the reputation as one of the most successful academic live-in schools in the State. Gaye loved the Academy and was very proud to have played a part in its creation. During her life, she was honored by many organizations for her work in education. She received the California Commendation Medal and the Medal of Merit from the California National Guard, the J. Vard Loomis Distinguished Board Service Award from Cuesta College, the Cuesta College Grace Mitchell Lifetime Achievement Award, Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition, State of California Women of the Year by the State California Legislature, the U.S. Presidents' Volunteer Service Award and many other awards. Gaye is survived by her husband George; daughter Gail and son-in-law Dave; son Greg and daughter-in-law Kilce; grandsons Gregory and Zach; and granddaughter Mia. The family would also like to thank Val and Kim, from the County Office of Education, Eva Durham, her dear friends Dr. Julian Crocker and his wife Donna and all those friends she met along the way. Gaye was extremely proud of her formative years growing up on a farm. She often said that she learned her values on the family farm in Texas. She was very proud of her family, and most proud of her part she played in the creation and development of the Grizzly Program. She also credited much of the success of Grizzly to the dedicated staff of the school, and she always mentioned Lt. Furmin Barbosa and Paul Piette as examples. She loved education and all those involved in it. Gaye will be interned at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, with full military honors. A memorial ceremony in her honor will be held here in San Luis Obispo sometime in the near future. At her request in lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her name to the Cuesta College Foundation, P.O. Box 8106, SLO, CA 93403, or to the Grizzly Youth Academy, P.O. Box 3209, SLO, CA 93403.

Gaye Lynn Galvan

April 24, 1936 - January 17, 2017