I would like to adjourn tonight’s meeting in memory of a beloved member of our community, Dean Gallion, who passed away in February at the age of 88 following a battle with cancer.
Dean was born in Missouri but, as a child, moved with his family to Santa Clarita in 1937.
He grew up in the Santa Clarita Valley, eventually becoming part of the second graduating class at Hart High School in Newhall in 1950.
While attending Hart, Dean was a member of the Varsity Baseball team his senior year.
The team won the school’s first CIF Championship that season.
A year later, he married his wife, Gwen, and together the couple raised three children here.
In 1969, Dean purchased the property on the northeast corner of Castaic Road and Ridge Route Road in Castaic, which would go on to be so influential in the lives of Santa Clarita Valley residents.
That site – Gallion’s Castaic Corner – has been a staple of the community for four decades.
Over the years, Dean was known by family, friends and patrons as being someone who was always there for anyone in need.
His great-granddaughter described him as someone who would give the shirt off his back to anyone and said he was a dad and grandpa for those who didn’t have one.
He is survived by Gwen and the couple’s three children, six grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Our thoughts are with Gwen, as well as Dean’s extended family and friends, during this difficult time.