Galen Charles Temple, born on February 21, 1935, died at the age of 88 years on July 9th, 2023 surrounded by the love of his family. Galen was the son of Price Fillman Temple and Pauline Virgnia Temple and the youngest of five children. He grew up on Edgemoor Place in Oakland, California.

In 1953, Galen graduated from Castlemont High School where he had noticed a shy and lovely young woman, named Eileen Carmichael. Eileen and Galen were married on September 26, 1959. They had two daughters: Lorie Eileen, born in 1961, and Jeanine Virginia, born in 1964.

Galen served in the Alameda County Sheriff's Department for 33 years, retiring as a Lieutenant in 1990. In 1972 Galen began a three-year project helping to implement the first fingerprint computer system that connected records all over the state of California. In 1978 he was assigned to manage the first 911 call center in Alameda County. He was known for his investigative abilities, and his relentless determination to solve a case, including difficult arson investigations. Sheriff Dyer awarded Galen with the privilege of attending the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia in 1983.

Galen loved oil painting, the Oakland A’s, carpentry, working in his garden, and playing cribbage with his grandkids. He was very active in the Lion’s Club and Redwood Chapel Community Church. Galen also supported many ministries in keeping with his Christian faith. Galen was known for his quick wit and enthusiastic laugh.

More than anything, Galen cherished his family. He adored Eileen and made sure that she and everyone knew it. He was Lorie and Jeanine’s loving dad, most enthusiastic encourager, and daily Words with Friends opponent. Galen was a very active and devoted grandfather to his four grandchildren, supporting his grandchildren at every baseball or softball game, school or dance performance, even driving across the country for their national speech and debate championships in Ohio. As his grandchildren grew, Galen grew with them and loved them deeply throughout their lives.

Galen is survived by his loving wife Eileen, his daughter Lorie and her husband Chad McNamee, his daughter Jeanine Newman, and his grandchildren, Grace Newman, William Newman, Lucas Newman, and Annelise Newman, his brother Floyd Temple and his wife Donna Temple, his sister Virginia DeCoito, and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

A memorial service will be held on August 19th at 1:30pm at Redwood Chapel Community Church, 19300 Redwood Road, Castro Valley, California. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to World Vision International (worldvision.org/donate)

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