Christopher Westall Galbreath Jr.

New Smyrna native Christopher Westall Galbreath, Jr. was born July 20, 1937 to Wes and Elsie (Jontes) Galbreath. His parents brought him home to Shipyard Island as an infant, and later to Samsula where he grew up. Chris loved hunting and fishing, always spending time in the woods or on the river when he had the chance. He graduated high school with the NSB Class of 1954, enlisting in the Navy shortly thereafter. 

 

Chris served some five years as a fire control technician aboard destroyers before being selected to attend Officer’s Candidate School in 1961. While stationed at Newport, Rhode Island, he met and fell in love with Elizabeth (Betty) Ann Cummings of Boston and following his graduation from OCS they were married March 4, 1961.

 

After commissioning Chris attended flight training, receiving his ‘wings’ as a Category I Fixed Wing Fleet Jet Pilot in October 1962. He served in squadrons aboard the carriers USS Saratoga and Independence, operating out of Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville, Florida, and completed tours as a flight instructor at Kingsville, Texas, and Albany, Georgia. He served in many roles, including Conventional-nuclear Weapons Delivery Pilot, Reconnaissance Pilot, Advanced Naval Flight Instructor, and Flight Leader. During his service, Chris flew multiple naval aircraft including the A-4 Skyhawk, TF9-J Cougar, and RA5-C Vigilante jets. He logged 2,485.7 total flight hours, including 471 carrier arrested landings. 

 

In 1971 Chris left the Navy and returned to New Smyrna with his family. The next year he became a deputy for the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, where he employed his extensive organizational and administrative talents. In 1983, while with the VCSO, he joined the Florida National Guard; during this time he served in Operation Desert Storm in the first Gulf War. He earned the Army Service Ribbon, two Bronze Service Stars, and the Southwest Asia Service Medal for his service, and was honored upon his return by the County of Volusia with a proclamation of Chris Galbreath Day on Jan. 17, 1991. Chris retired from the Army in 1991 with a combined 24 years of military service. 

 

Chris was in the VCSO for 28 years, retiring as a Sergeant in 2000 with numerous commendations including a 1997 Citation of Medal of Merit awarded for 25 years of honorable and dedicated service. Upon retirement, he pursued local history and extensive genealogical research which brought him immense joy. In addition to his local genealogical research, he was an active member of the Galbraith Clan DNA project and made connections with relatives all over the world. He was also a member of the Southeast Volusia Historical Society and RVAHNavy Association. 

 

Chris was married a second time to Nora (Maynard), living in the hammock area of Edgewater where he was close to the Florida landscape he so loved. In 2014 he returned to his roots in Samsula, living the last years of his life with his sister in the home that he and his brother helped their father build in 1950.

 

Chris passed at home January 27, 2023. He is predeceased by his parents Wes, Elsie, wife Betty Ann, and son Kevin. He is survived by his children Patricia, Christopher III, Michael, John, and Kathleen (Michael) Barnette; nine grandchildren Shannon, Haley, Amber, Ariel, Mary Ann, John Jr., Joseph, Killian, and Taylor; his brother Roy (Judy), sister Marcy, niece Lori (Trevor) Comer; and 6 great grandchildren.  

 

Memorial service will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 18, 2023 at Settle-Wilder Funeral Home, Friends will be received on Saturday, February 18, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Settle-Wilder Chapel. Interment will follow at  Sea Pines Memorial Gardens, Edgewater.

 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Southeast Volusia Historical Society (120 Sams Ave., New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168).