Matthew "Matt" Stephen Galios

1960—2018

Matthew “Matt” Stephen Galios passed away after a short illness, with his family by his side, on the September 17, 2018, at Sutter Hospital of Santa Rosa. Matt was the second child of Stephen Galios and Beverly Beckstrom. He was born August 17, 1960 in Big Springs, Texas.

Matt was survived by his mother Beverly Beckstrom, his sister Stacy Galios McDill, step-mother Nancy Galios, sister Melissa Galios, brother and sister-in-law, Mark and Alissa Galios, aunt Lisa Solomon Dorrah, and his (4) nieces whom were the apple of Matt’s eye, Amanda Chatham, Emily Wilson, and Ryann and Molly Galios. Matt was predeceased by his father Stephen Galios, step-father Clark Beckstrom, grandparents William and Bonnie Colvin, and his other grandmother “Granny Goose”—also know as June Stevens.

Stephen Galios, Matt’s father, being a pilot (first with the Air Force and then with United Airlines,) required frequent moves for work. However, in 1967, the family finally was able to settle roots, and chose a home in Monticello Park, in Napa, CA.

Matt grew up attending Vichy Elementary School, Silverado Middle School, and Vintage High School. He continued his education at U.C. Davis college, where he received a BS in Landscape Agriculture.

Matt was well liked off the field, but it was his athletic abilities and team leadership, which made Matt stand out among many. He was always involved in some kind of sport, and had the distinctions and honors to reflect his talents. Matt lettered in (3) sports, all (3) years at Vintage High School. In Joe D’Maggio baseball, he was written up by The Napa Register, for having pitched a no-hitter game. In his junior year of high school, Matt placed 7th in California, for his weight division in wrestling.

Matt’s true calling and passion was football however- He began his career in the junior Pop Warner league (with his own dad as coach). He went on to play at all the levels. At Vintage High School, Matt was one of the top players, and was instrumental in their success as a team. This dedication lauded him ‘Vintage High School Defensive Player of the Year, 1979’. He was also honored as a finalist for KVON ATHLETE OF THE YEAR, 1979. At U.C. Davis, as a middle linebacker, Matt helped lead the Division II Aggies to the National semi-finals his junior year, and to the finals his senior year.

After college, Matt went on to combine his strengths in sales, with his love of the outdoors, as an outside sales rep., working for several pipe manufacturing companies, that sell the plumbing systems which are used when opening up new housing developments. It was around this time, that Matt discovered the sport GOLF! Naturally, he was good at it, and won several local awards including “A HOLE IN ONE”. Matt continued to play golf for years, until his knees no longer permitted him to. But, whether Matt was on the field or he was watching sports on television, or attending a sporting event ‘live’- Matt was always happiest sharing his passion for sports with friends and family.

In the past decade, Matt recommitted himself to his Christian faith. This faith had been instilled upon him at a very young age by his beloved grandmother “Granny” Bonnie Colvin. Matt found tremendous console in the words of the Bible, (and all the little pearls of wisdom Granny would always write in throughout a bible she would give someone). In a bible that Granny gave Matt, she wrote “Love God with all your might, mind, and strength”. Yes Granny- I think he did.

There will be a Celebration of Life Service for Matthew Stephen Galios, to beheld at: Crosswalk Church, 2590 1st. Street, Napa, CA, Saturday November 3, 2018, 11:00 AM.

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