Benjamin Galusha

Benjamin (Rex) "Papa" Galusha, 79, of Kernersville, NC, passed away November 23, 2022, surrounded by his family.

Born in Central City, Nebraska, November 15, 1943, to the late Gerald "Jerry" Allen Galusha and Alice Mae Rose Galusha, Rex was the second of five brothers.

His childhood was spent on the family farm in the small town of Clarks, Nebraska. He took the horse to and from school each day and worked alongside the family to care for the farm. The family moved to Iowa during Rex's teenage years, where he became an avid fisherman and hunter, following in his father's footsteps.

In 1961, just after graduating from West Delaware County Community High School in Manchester, IA, he joined the Army where he served many years, including as a Platoon Sergeant in Vietnam. During his Vietnam service, he was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division from November 1968 to November 1969. He later continued his military service with the Air Force, altogether serving 24 years for his country. During his military career, he was the recipient of two Bronze Stars and numerous other medals and honors.

Early in his career, while stationed at Fort Lewis in Washington State, he met and married Kathryn Slater. They had three children, Michelle, Jack, and Sherry.

Rex moved back to Nebraska in the mid-70's to work as a Base Career Advisor with the Air National Guard. He retired from the military in 1987. After his military service, he co-owned and operated Advantage Personnel in Lincoln for many years.

Through the years, Rex, his brothers, Ron, Bill, Jack, and Jerry Jr., and their dad looked forward to their annual hunting trip to a ranch in Lynch, NE, owned by their long-time friends, the Graham's. For over 30 years, memories were made together on the ranch, bunking in the old house with an out-house, laughing, having a beer or two, and hunting the remote, densely wildlife-populated acreage.

Rex and his brothers were also devoted to their parents and took great care of them in their golden years. They loved and cared for their family deeply, a trait passed on to their own families.

In 2000, wanting to be closer to his children and grandchildren, Rex moved to the Greensboro, NC area, to live his remaining 22 years as our Papa.

Papa loved shooting pool and playing cards, including UNO and Cribbage, with his children and grandchildren. He was proud of everything they did, from their graduations to starting businesses - he told everyone about them, including his many neighborhood friends.

He loved helping his neighbors everywhere he lived from fixing things around their houses to taking out the weekly trash. Papa loved birds, plants, and growing things. All the dogs in the family adored him. He was also a passionate supporter of Veteran causes, volunteering with the American Legion for many years. He had put his faith and trust in Christ as Lord and Savior and attended Living Hope Church in Kernersville, NC.

In late 2018, Papa proudly made the announcement to his family, after our Christmas dinner, that his great-grandchild was to be born - an honor given him by his grandson, Brian and his wife, Chelsey. Their child, Benjamin (Ben) Renner Wood, named after his great-grandfather, was born the following August. Little Ben was Papa's favorite person in the world.

Our Papa was a special person - a hero for his country and a tough soldier deserving of the many military honors he received, making sacrifices for his country few will ever know. He loved his family above all else, and life without him will never be the same for the family left behind - daughters Michelle Wood (Charles), and Sherry Dula (Doug), and son Jack Galusha (Lisa); brothers Bill Galusha (Char), Ron Galusha (Leann), and Jack Galusha (Cyndi); grandchildren, Brian Wood (Chelsey), Evan Wood (Emily), Hanna Trent (Nathan), Emma Rose Galusha, Luke Dula and Kennedy Dula; and great-grandson, Benjamin Wood.

Memorial services will be held in both North Carolina and Nebraska, the first being Saturday, December 17th at Living Hope Church in Kernersville, NC at 2:00pm, with visitation to follow. The service in Nebraska will take place at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to the Gary Sinise (Veteran) Foundation at www.garysinisefoundation.org , in honor of Benjamin Rex Galusha. Hayworth-Miller Kernersville Chapel is assisting the family.