Joe Galan's Obituary
Joe Renteria Galan, 74, of Houston, Texas, passed away in the early morning hours of Sunday, April 19, 2026. He was born August 19, 1951, to Margarita Renteria Galan and Telesforo Castro Galan in Navasota, Texas, and was raised in Big Spring, Texas.
He married Alicia Gonzales Galan on September 2, 1977, and they raised their family in Houston among a large extended family of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. He retired from the maintenance department of Weatherford International in Big Spring, Texas, in 2019.
Joe, also known as "Pops", spent his days fishing the waters of the Texas Gulf Coast and his Friday nights with his sons at the Baytown drag strip, where he appreciated trucks, muscle cars, and hotrods of all types — and where he occasionally raced as well. He remained an avid boxing fan throughout his life and taught his children to appreciate the sport. He followed all variations of football — the NFL, UFL, and his favorite, college football. He enjoyed a wide range of music, from heavy rock to Motown to Tejano classics to top 40 and classic country. A man of Catholic faith, Joe prayed daily in his own quiet way. In his final years, he demonstrated extraordinary strength of character and will — meeting his illness without complaint and facing the end of his life with grace and dignity that were a testament to his love for his family and to the measure of the man he was.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Margarita Renteria Galan and Telesforo Castro Galan; sisters, Juanita Rios and Rosa Martinez; brothers, Isidoro T. Galan, Nicholas R. Rios, and Frank Galan Sr.; and his beloved grandson, Johnathan Jay Galan.
He is survived by his wife, Alicia Gonzales Galan; his children: his “favorite and only” daughter, Melissa Ann Galan; his "boss," son Anthony Joe Galan (wife Elida); his "champ," son Adam Ray Galan; and his "bug," Alejandro Gonzales. He is also survived by his cherished grandchildren: Anthony Xavier Galan, Isaac Lorenzo Galan, Jason Noel Galan, Jennifer Marie Galan, Ethan Alexander Galan, and Felix Oliver Galan. He is further survived by his brothers, Manuel Galan of Houston, Texas; Pedro Galan of Marble Falls, Texas; Gilbert Galan of Houston, Texas; Tony Galan of Sacramento, California; Ted Galan; and his sister, Margie Orosco of Houston, Texas, along with an extended family of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins who loved him dearly.
In accordance with his wishes, Joe will be cremated. A Funeral Liturgy by Deacon Heath Hampton of St. Pius V of Pasadena will be held at noon on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at San Jacinto Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 14659 East Fwy, Houston, TX 77015.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations in Joe's memory be made to the Coastal Conservation Association of Texas, a cause close to his heart as a lifelong fisherman of the Texas Gulf Coast. Donations may be made online at https://ccatexas.org/donate or by check payable to CCA Texas, mailed to 6919 Portwest Dr., Suite 100, Houston, TX 77024.
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