Paul Michael Galloway

The full moon took our sweet Mikey on July 10th, 2025. Our hearts are shattered and at the same time we feel peace knowing that Mike is free and no longer in pain.

Mike was an incredible husband, father, and friend. He carried joy, jokes, love, and kindness everywhere he went. The world lost such a bright Human.

Mike was born Paul Michael Galloway on January 24th, 1982, in Longview Texas. The oldest child of Gerald and Kathleen, southern gems, accents included, Texas A&M fanatics. There is not a Galloway in this galaxy allowed to like the Long Horns.

The Galloways moved to the Pacific Northwest when Mike was a young boy. A double Texas name like Paul Michael didn’t feel right to him there so while in elementary school, he changed his name to Mike. Although never legally; causing confusion for the rest of his life. Mike and MaLyn always had a giggle when people addressed him as Paul. It’s Paul Michael, PM, PG, or Mikey. Never Paul.

Mike quickly became a true Portlander - in love with the outdoors, hiking, camping, running, water sports, and ocean adventures. Lincoln City was his favorite place. When not being a cliche PNW kiddo, every summer Mike’s parents would send him to stay with his grandparents who lived on a bayou in East Texas. Mike enjoyed an idyllic childhood. Boating with his grandpa all day, driving a golf cart around the community, exploring on his own while his grandparents napped, 6 Flags adventures, learning to drive his grandpa’s old truck well before the legal driving age, and all other forms of being spoiled rotten. Mike was always so charming and independent. Of course, his childhood was magical.

Mike had a phenomenal high school experience, a wonderful group of friends, the cross-country team, teenage rebellion, and adventures. Despite skipping a good portion of his senior year to go to the pool hall, an absolute 90’s kid, he graduated and later attended a small college in Idaho where he met MaLyn Palmer. Mike and MaLyn were married in Portland Oregon on April 7th, 2007. A perfectly rainy day full of love and new beginnings. In 2009, BryLee was born, 2012 brought Ellie, and the family was complete with Maverick in 2014.

Mike, MaLyn, and the kids spent 8 years living in San Antonio Texas. Mike worked as a software developer for USAA. While in San Antonio they happily raised their young family in an old, albeit charming, little brick house and made forever friends who would later become their neighbors in Utah. When 2020 hit, Mike was able to work remotely, which drove him crazy, but also had its perks. In December of 2020, Mike and MaLyn sold their home and moved to Utah. It was time to escape the heat and return to the mountains, seasons, and family.

The Galloways enjoyed years of hiking, outdoor adventures, epic movie nights, BBQs, and making their new house a beautiful home until unfortunately, Mike was diagnosed with a rare form of pancreatic cancer in 2024. The doctors were certain they could cure him. Mike endured a brutal journey at Huntsman Cancer Institute, completing 12 rounds of intense chemo and 28 rounds of radiation. Mike spent a lot of time in the hospital, often for a week at a time. The doctors were hopeful, we all were, but when they scoped Mike before the Whipple procedure to remove the tumor, they saw that the cancer had spread to his abdominal wall. His body was full of dozens of microscopic cancerous nodules too small to appear on his previous scans. There was no more hope for a cure. That was the most devastating day. Mike and MaLyn prepared their children and enjoyed 3 more months together before Mike passed away. Their last family event together was eating ice cream and watching/quoting one of Mike’s favorite movies, Ferris’ Bueller’s Day Off.

After a heroic, long, and science-defying battle, with MaLyn and his BFF sister-in-law by his side, Mike passed away peacefully as the sun was coming up over the mountains - a perfect view from their bedroom window on the morning of July 10th.

Mike lived for 43 beautiful years. Experiencing joy unparalleled, overcoming hardship, raising a precious family, and laughing with the people he loved most. He accomplished so much and built a magnificent and idyllic life for his family and friends.

What we want you to remember about Mike:

He was the biggest champion of authenticity. He encouraged people to be the truest version of themselves.

Mike was real. He didn’t pretend or hide things. He was honest and genuine. A rare gem in this world.

Mike worked hard and played hard. He lived in each moment and enjoyed the time he spent with his family, friends, co-workers, and self. When he wasn’t spending time with family, working, reading, gaming with the kids, or listening to his favorite albums or nerdy podcasts, he was out in the wild, hiking, kayaking, walking, pondering, or on a road trip.

Mike was quiet, humble, private and mysterious. Never a seeker of attention or praise. If he loved you, you knew it and felt it. Mike loved his tribe fiercely and would do anything for them. We’ll all miss our guy forever.

Thank you for holding space for him, thinking of him, remembering him, loving him, and our family.

Mike’s parents, two sisters (Kristi & Amy), nieces, nephews, in-laws, friends, MaLyn, and the kids will feel a void forever. But Mike was real. Our memories are real. Nobody can take that away. We will cherish our Mikey forever.

…and while his body is gone, Mike is still here. He is every favorite plaid button down and alpaca sweater. He is every playlist that hits just right, every magical fire pit night under the moon and stars. Mike is every breathtaking hike, and movie night, with a big bowl of Bluebell Ice Cream (Moo-llennium Crunch was his fav). Mike is poker nights, dance moves, laughs, and lunch dates out for hamburgers and fries. Picnics in the park. Extra fry sauce on the side. He is in every warm Texas night, loud with cicadas, twinkling lights overhead. He is in every patio night. Dinner sizzling. The smell of BBQ will always tug at our hearts. Mike is every garage project with the kids. Sawdust and screwdrivers. Mike is in every way past-bedtime gaming session; four computers in a row, raising adorable little nerds. Stardew Valley. Subnautica. Mike is in every perfect audio set up and organized cable tray. He is clever writing, meticulous research, and every wholesome good deed, expecting nothing in return. Mike’s charm and goodness will permeate our souls forever. We see you Mike, we love you, Mike.

Forever.

A casual Mike worthy Open House Style “Death Party” will take place On Saturday, July 19th from 6:30pm-8:30pm at the Galloway Home.

In lieu of flowers we invite you to send support via GoFundMe or Venmo: @MaLynG.