Stacy Gales

Stacy Louis Gales, age 81, passed away peacefully on May 6, 2023, after a sudden illness. Stacy was born in Providence Hospital, Wallace, ID, on October 20, 1941. He is preceded in death by his parents Louis and Ruby Gales. Stacy was the oldest of six children by Louis and Ruby, and is survived by all five of his siblings, Michael Gales of Sequim, WA, Mariann Grasela Pickford of San Diego, CA, Martin Gales, David Gales, and Brian Gales, all of Spokane, WA. Stacy is survived by his best friend and wife, Marie-Luise Gales, with whom he celebrated nearly 60 years of marriage, as well as by his only child, Denise Gales-Langabeer.

Stacy spent his formative years in Wallace, graduating in 1959 from Our Lady of Lourdes Academy of Wallace. Commencing around 1927, his grandfather, John Gales, and later his father, Louis, owned and operated the Chevrolet dealership in Wallace for nearly 35 years. From his grandfather and dad, Stacy learned the practice of honesty and fair dealing. From his mother Ruby, he learned strong discipline coupled with compassion and an abiding understanding of the grace of forgiveness.

Stacy enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1961. Throughout his military career he traveled the world. He claimed his best assignment was one of his first in Germany where he met his wife, Marie-Luise. Also while stationed in Germany the couple got married and Marie-Luise gave birth to their only child, Denise. His next best assignment was with his family at Hickam AFB in Oahu, Hawaii. For over 17 of his 20 years in the Service Stacy committed his career to the Air Force’s financial management systems. He rose to the rank of Senior Master Sergeant before his military retirement, after which he continued to serve his country for an additional 20 years in San Antonio, Texas, as a Civil Servant continuing to manage Air Force investments and finances. He ended his career as Chief of the Treasury Division, where he managed nearly 200 global banking relationships involving over $1B in investments.

Upon his retirement from the Civil Service, Stacy continued to reside in San Antonio until his death, and was known by his family, friends, and colleagues as someone with integrity and kindness, always happy to help. He loved the outdoors, accounting, creating spreadsheets, and COSTCO. He was well-read and widely traveled and could always walk into any room and strike up an interesting conversation.

Stacy formed strong attachments to nature and the outdoors and loved fishing. He loved nature and supported organizations dedicated to the preservation of the environment and wildlife.

Everyone loved and respected Stacy. He will be so missed but it is also recognized he is in a better place, united with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Stacy’s family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Methodist Hospital Northeast in Live Oak, Texas, for their excellent care and many acts of kindness during his final illness.

In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to his favorite organizations, the Catholic Sisters of Providence, the National Geographic Society, and the Smithsonian Institution.