Ernest "Wayne" Galban

It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of our dearly beloved family member, Wayne Galban, on April 7, 2021, in Temple, Texas.

Throughout his 71 years on earth, Wayne’s charming personality and sense of humor earned him a legion of admirers both near and far away. He was the “life” of every party. His laugh was infectious and he was always impeccably groomed and dressed. You could say he was a trendsetter, using a full line of skincare products when most men barely wore Chapstick and always sporting sunglasses and the best smelling cologne. He was metrosexual way before pop culture defined the term.

Wayne was also a hard-working man of many talents. He seemed most content when his hands were holding some type of tool. A hammer to build or repair. A spatula or pair of tongs to grill. A rod to fish. A Bible to light his path.

He was his family’s biggest fan. He loved everyone wholeheartedly. He was a Dad his kids thought of as “bullet proof and 10 feet tall;” a devoted Poppy to his grandchildren; and a loyal brother, son, uncle, boyfriend and friend.

If you knew Wayne, you usually had a story to tell. Our family could fill a book with his funny antics. He became affectionately known as “Country” as a teenager when he wore sunglasses without the lenses. He once swapped his sister-in-law’s Chicklet gum with Feenamints. He took karate classes and styled his hair like Elvis for a while. And he taught his 13-year-old niece how to drive his truck one summer and let her take all the kids to Stop-n-Go to buy candy with the mountain of loose change he kept in his glovebox. He lived his life in color and those he shared it with got to bask in the glow.

Wayne will be greatly missed but forever in our hearts. We take comfort knowing he is resting in perfect peace with our Lord and Savior. Heaven is definitely a little sweeter now.

He is survived by his children, sons Demetrius (Kim) Galban and Gabriel Galban, daughter Alisha Galban-Gain (Janna Gain), and grandchildren Madison Galban, Sterling Galban, Chandler Galban, Graciela Meza and Harper Galban; sisters Phyllis (Jack) Green, Elizabeth (Melvin) Guidry and Adelpha Davis; brother Buddy (Hope) Galban; girlfriend Bernadette Moreno and her daughter Veronique Moreno; and dozens of adoring nieces and nephews.

Wayne was predeceased by his parents Plasido and Marguerite (Guajardo) Galban and brothers Ferdinand “Ferdie” Galban, Plasido “Duke” Galban III, Lawrence “Larry” Galban and Timothy “Tim” Galban.

His viewing will be held from 5 – 8 pm, with a rosary recited at 6 pm, Thursday, April 15 at the Harper Talasek Funeral Home, 500 West Barton, Temple, TX.

A graveside burial service is planned on Friday, April 16 at 1 pm at the Odd Fellows Cemetery in his hometown of Rockdale, TX. A processional will leave at noon from the Harper Talasek Funeral Home, where everyone is asked to meet at 11:30 am.