Mark Galloway was a gift to our community

It is hard to imagine that it has been several weeks since the sudden and tragic loss of Mark Galloway. (Mark was killed in an accident when his car left the road near High Rock and Rimrock roads east of Highway 203 in mid-January.)

Recently, a community came together to memorialize and honor a bright light in our neighborhood and region who left us too soon, but who has left an indelible mark on all of our lives. The celebration of Mark’s life at Evergreen Speedway was a commentary to what Mark meant to his family and this community.

Greg, Elaine and Krissy, Mark’s family, cannot put into words what the outpouring of your love has meant to them and their extended family. Special thanks must go out to Speedway Chevrolet and the Lee Johnson family, especially Doug Hobbs, Jonny Edwards, Ken Wheaton and Chuck Merritt, who helped to organize and orchestrate the memorial. You gave Mark his first opportunity to begin living his dream. Mark’s passions were fixing cars and racing. He was a star and winner in both.

Lex Johnson of Concept Race Cars and a race car provided by Ron Fritzly; Larry and Suzy Ormbrek of Sign-up Sign Company; drivers Jill Lang and John Zaretzke; and “Mars” Miller of Indian Education all put forth huge expenditures of time and resources to make Mark’s last “Victory Lap” a memorable one.

The Galloway family cannot express how much they appreciate and love Al Nelson and Nik Stroup for all they did to be with the family and to toil through 4,000-plus images, completing the visual montage of Mark’s life. Finally, Pastor Tim Wheatley, thank you for your eloquence and grace. You were wonderful.

Mark was a gift to his family, friends and community. He was one of the finest young men we have ever known.

Mark’s neighbors

Jim and Jan Kriner