James Galbreath Obituary

James Winfred Galbreath of Barnard, MO, passed away on January 1, 2026, in Maryville.

Jim was born in Maryville on February 9, 1938, to J. Winfred and Mary Patricia (O’Donnell) Galbreath. He graduated from Rosendale High School and attended St. Benedict’s College in Atchison.

Jim was an Electronics Specialist assigned to the 4925th Test Group (Nuclear), Air Force Special Weapons, Kirtland AFB, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, when he met the love of his life, Judith Lynne Ray, at a dance on base. They married in Albuquerque on February 23, 1962. He frequently remarked that he had acted quickly before someone else could snag her.

Their full partnership took them to a NW Missouri farm in 1967, where they raised children Leslie, Mark, and Shannon, alongside critters, crops, and gardens. Farming proved to be the root of many (eventually) funny tales involving rogue hogs, stuck equipment, and spooked horses. In later years, Jim was a rural mail carrier and postmaster in Bolckow, MO. Jim loved his “retirement gig” with the National Ag Statistics Service that fused his knack for conversation with agriculture and his exceptional mastery of NW Missouri back roads and land ownership.

Jim was a top-notch mechanic, landscaper, and carpenter who built big and pretty things, designed to meet Judy’s high and creative expectations, and engineered “solutions” for all manner of common and uncommon challenges. The custom front porch, sunroom, garage, deck, grandchildren’s playhouses, and the beautiful arbor he crafted for grandkid weddings from remnants of his childhood home stand in testament to his handiwork. His woodworking talents yielded custom post office bank boxes and kid-sized picnic tables and doll highchairs. In recent years, he could frequently be found playing on the floor with the grandkids and great-grandkids.

Jim believed in serving his community. His service included terms on the North Andrew School Board and the Andrew County Soil & Water District Conservation Board. More recently, he was instrumental in securing public water for rural southeastern Nodaway County.

He was a founding member of the Heart of America Antique Tractor Club and drove the restored Farmall M or 560 that he and Judy farmed with in most of the HOATC tractor cruises for 25 years, along with serving on the board. His impressive and unique Mayrath Garden Tractor collection and knowledge delighted many fair and parade goers in recent years.

Jim was a member of the St. Columba Catholic Church and the Tri-C Memorial American Legion Post 464 in Conception.

Jim was preceded in death by his bride Judith Lynne Ray Galbreath on December 30, 2021, great-granddaughter Emilia (Millie) Jones on December 11, 2025, brothers-in-law Douglas K. Ray and Gary McBain, and his parents.

Jim is survived by daughter Leslie Galbreath, son Mark Galbreath (Laurie), daughter Shannon Skoglund (Shawn), grandchildren Ashley Jones (Taylor), Kelsey Wilson (Josh), Erynn Watson (Noah), Emily Skoglund (Andriy Sytyashenko); Reagan Galbreath, Wyatt James Galbreath, and great-grandchildren Oliver Jones, Theodore and Emma Ray Wilson, and Isla Watson; brother Gerald Galbreath (Janice), sister Mary Alice McBain; brother- and sister-in-law John R. and Donna Ray, sister-in-law Ellen Ray; several nieces and nephews and numerous cousins.

Memorials can be made to the Walnut Grove Cemetery in Andrew County in his and Judy’s name or the Cure Mito Foundation in Millie Jones’s name.

A Rosary will take place at Bram Funeral Home at 5:00 PM on Friday, January 9, 2026. A Visitation will be held at the same location on the same day 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. The Funeral Service will take place Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 10:00 AM at St. Gregory's Catholic Church. The Burial will follow at Walnut Grove Cemetery in Bolckow, MO.