John Richard Galusha

John Richard “Dick” Galusha peacefully entered his eternal home on July 2, 2025, at the age of 92. Welcomed into the arms of the Lord, he left behind a legacy of faith, compassion, and creativity that touched lives across the world. Born in Ponca City, Oklahoma, Dick was the son of Jasper Jackson Galusha and Flora Galusha. After graduating from high school, Dick began his studies at Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma. It was there that he met the love of his life, Letitia “Tish” Armstrong. There, he was ordained as a Disciples of Christ Minister and earned a Master of Divinity. They married on June 4, 1956, in Kansas City, and together they had a lifelong partnership rooted in faith, service, and adventure. They both went on to Phillips Theological Seminary and graduated in 1960. Soon after, they were commissioned as missionaries, first training in Brussels, then in Holland, and finally to Congo. In Africa, he helped Congolese learn how to work on their vehicles, taught agricultural techniques, set up a generator for a small community to have evening electricity, and even repaired the town’s radio transmitters and receivers that a pilot brought home. During his time in Congo he studied the church membership of the region, traveling by canoe, foot, bicycle, and car to get to as many people as possible. Always drawn to adventure, he loved backcountry travel and protected his family during times of civil unrest with courage. His love for exploration was matched by his love for people. He even made sure his entire family touched Asian soil in Turkey before traveling across Europe and back to the U.S. The Galusha family returned to Tulsa in 1968. During that time, Dick, along with Yvonne Grewe, founded Youth Services of Tulsa, where he served until 1974, working to improve the lives of young people. His spirit of service continued when he became manager of his brother’s pecan farm, Verdigris Valley Farms, near Porter, Oklahoma. A respected pecan grower, he was named grower of the year and then later served as president of the Oklahoma Pecan Growers Association, winning many ribbons for his pecan pies. Dick and Tish raised their family in Tulsa, and later in Wagoner, where he restored a historic Victorian home and was deeply involved in the community. He directed and acted in plays with the Wagoner Playhouse Association and was the president there for a year. From 1992 to 2007, he served as minister at Memorial Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Muskogee, Oklahoma. He served on Camp Christian board and spent many summers as camp counselor. Dick found joy in working with his hands. He discovered woodcarving at Ghost Ranch and went on to craft various pieces, including a bronze-cast cowboy sculpture he gave to each of his children. Dick and Tish opened their hearts and home to many international exchange students, building lifelong bonds that spanned the globe. He had a lifelong passion for travel, and together they went many places. While being home he embraced the joyful chaos of a full house with endless dinner parties and various pets (including a monkey during their time in Africa). After the house emptied of the children, Dick and Tish moved to their lake house in Wagoner where he continued building, adding a basement to create more space for family to visit. Dick sang in the church choir and served faithfully as an elder, board chair, and outreach chair at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Wagoner. Above all, Dick will be remembered for his kindness, his many great stories of exploration, and his legendary peanut brittle which filled every gathering with sweetness. He was a devoted husband, a wise and loving father, a beloved “Papa,” and a man whose faith shone through in every word and step. He is survived by his wife, Letitia “Tish” Galusha; his children Kimberly Diane Galusha, Keith Andrew Galusha, Katy Elizabeth Galusha White and husband Scott White, Kelly Renee Galusha, Kris Jonathan Galusha, son-in-law John Meier, grandchildren Claire Wildwood, Seth Galusha, Jun Galusha, Zoe White, Emma Dawson, and George Dawson. Great grandchildren Ezra, Oscar, and Dorian. He is also survived by his brother David Eugene Galusha, and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was met at the pearly gates with open arms by his parents Jasper Jackson Galusha and Flora Galusha, his son Jessie Mangalimon, and his brothers Jasper Harley Galusha and Joseph Allen Galusha, and many others who have gone before him. A celebration of Dick’s life will be held on July 12, 2025 at 11:00 AM at First Christian Church in Wagoner, Oklahoma, where everyone is encouraged to wear cheerful attire. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his honor to Youth Services of Tulsa or Miller Hospice.

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John Richard Galusha

October 3, 1932 - July 2, 2025