Loy Noland Gallop
Thunderbolts
Loy Noland Gallop, 85, of Wichita, formerly of Parsons, passed away April 12, 2004. He graduated from Parsons High School in 1936, Parsons Junior College in 1938 and Pittsburg State Teachers College in 1940. He moved to Wichita to work for Boeing (Stearman Aircraft) in 1940, 41 & 42. In May 1942 he enlisted in the Air Force. He married Lena Mae Nyberg, May 17, 1942. Called to duty October in San Antonio, TX. Primary training in Vern, TX, Secondary Enid Army Air Force Base, Advanced Pilot Training, Victoria, TX air field, where he graduated 1st Lt. in Fighter Training, sent overseas in 1944 to Southern England as a P47 pilot after D-Day to France. He was shot down Aug. 17, 1944, captured, and was a P.O.W. for 2 days, escaped and sent back to the states by his 48th fighter Bomber group, 9th Air Force, of 493rd fighter squadron in Sept. Based at Winfield - Ark City Air Base as an Instructor until WWII ended. He was owner/operator of Independent Scale Service, in Wichita, for nearly 40 yrs. Preceded in death by parents James and Adrainne Gallop, grand-parents the Jesse McCormicks and Will Gallops, bro. Dwight and wife Opal. Survivors include, wife Lena Mae of 62 yrs; daughter, Sheryl and husband Steven Glenn, Hutchinson; grandson Jesse Glenn and wife, Heather, Park City; sisters Mary Jane Katter, San Antonio, Betty Wells, Atlanta; aunt, Margaret Grant of Iola; sisters in law, Mary A. Kincade, Doris Nyberg, Wichita, Jeanne Nyberg, CA; many cousins, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces & nephews.
From: Ron Gallop - Wednesday, February 09, 2005 at 8:57:45 PM CST
9 months have passed since you left us. I don't miss you any less, I miss talking to you and having you as an anchor and role model even more. But alas, I find peace in knowing that you are no longer suffering. In this family only you, I, and my cousin Jim know the joys of having 'slipped the surly bonds of earth'. Peace comes to me knowing that you are free to fly effortlessly and continuously forevermore. Though it seems an eternity, this time on earth is but a snap of the fingers, an incomprehensibly short time, and what lies beyond is forever. I look forward to reuniting with you again. At that time maybe, just maybe, you and I can fly together once again as we did one night in 1965 in Wichita. It will be my honor to fly your wing and together we can reach out and touch the face of God. Fly West my friend, fly West. Any day now you can look out and see me joining up on your wing.
From: Chris Mugglebee - Monday, May 17, 2004 at 10:59:41 PM CST
Mr. Loy Gallop was sort of a living treasure. He came from a time that was pivotal to this country and was able to articulate what it meant to be American. I spent a good deal of focus on that aspect to his life and he opened it for me like a great novel. He became a unique personal link for me to M.J. Nyberg, whom I never had the living privilege to know, and I thank him for that. I thank him for sharing his incomprehensible war memories and experiences which both humbled and graced me. The men of his generation were cut out of a heroic mold, a generation thrust with the responsibility of insuring the freedom of generations to come. He once told me, with genuine pause, that Lena Mae's and M.J.'s father- Milton Oscar -was "the real thing" when it came to being a man. In leiu of Loy's passing, I think I'll say the same about him.
From: Ann Nyberg Mugglebee - Monday, May 17, 2004 at 1:58:49 PM CST
There are so many memories of "Uncle Loy". Some of my favorites are of the annual Christmas Eve Nyberg gathering. I would sit on his lap with Jesse, his grandson and tease, "My Grandpa". Jesse didn't appreciate this as a little boy, so it would start an argument back and forth of "No, my Grandpa!". Both my grandfathers has already passed away, so he was the next best thing. (Thanks Jesse for sharing him with me!) Later in my life, Uncle Loy made each of the Nyberg grandchildren a gliding rocking chair out of the wood that my Grandfather Nyberg had used to make frames for his paintings. Apparently, Loy rescued the wood and decided to make it into a lasting tribute to my Grandfather's legacy. I am the 13th grandchild. My name, "Ann Marie Nyberg No.13" is carved on the back of the chair. He did this for all of us. What a generous, talented, labor of love. The chair sits in our sunroom, where just yesterday I sat rocking my newborn son. My last conversation with Loy, was around March 1st. We had called to tell them about the birth of our son, Jack Christopher Mugglebee on February 14th. We had a great chat and Loy's sense of humor was completely in tact, despite him not feeling so great. I hung up with a heavy heart though, sensing it was our last conversation. It was. Uncle Loy thank you for all you gave to us, thank you for always asking "How's my boy?" in regards to my husband, Chris. He thought the world of you. Thank you for sharing WWII stories of my Dad with him. You were the only one left to tell them. May you be a peace but please keep an eye on things for us. We'll miss you. Love from your niece and her family, Ann, Chris, Maeve & Jack Mugglebee PS-Tell my Dad hi.
From: Nancy Nyberg/Dean Cleverdon - Thursday, May 06, 2004 at 7:15:53 PM CST
Loy was a true hero, in the quietest sense of the word. But he was always at the ready with a insightful story, joke or quip, whether he was trying to make a point (or, occasionally, just to get a rise of you). We will miss him.
From: JIM KATTER - Sunday, April 25, 2004 at 10:08:03 AM CST
I had written a message on the first email board and it was lost in the internet world. I used the quotation from " High Flight " that Mom later told me was on the back of Uncle Loy's memorial service program. Uncle Loy stood as a strong man that inspired me in my flying days and in my business efforts. He always let me know when he approved of my actions and when he was not pleased. My memories of the childhood farm days I spent with my Grandparents and my Uncles are very special. I changed from a boy to a young man and am so grateful for all the lessons taught me during those summers. The values of hard work, honesty, and not being wasteful have guided my life and will be with me forever. With much love--- Jim
From: Margaret Bush, Colorado Springs, CO - Friday, April 23, 2004 at 10:23:14 AM CST
A memory of 60 years ago. 1944 during WWII, I moved to Ark City from Wichita with baby Pat, after Lenie and Loy found a small apartment for us. I wanted to be near an air base while Don was in Europe. At the time, we did not know Loy very well but have always remembered when he and Lenie would come over with Loy in uniform. He taught Pat to take off his uniform cap and put it on a table, then when they were ready to go home, she would run and get his hat for him and hand it to him. As a result of this, when Don did finally return home, in the same uniform as Loy, Pat would literally hand him his hat at the end of the day, figuring it was time for him to leave. That year was the beginning of a long and fruitful friendship, which we treasure.
From: Hubert R. Buckles - Thursday, April 22, 2004 at 11:28:34 AM CST
I and the late Marget Ann Buckles know of your great life's work through your wonderful daughter Sheryl,whom you blessed so richly,and made possible her wonderful friendship with us. You will be greatly missed by the family and friends.
From: Heather - Thursday, April 22, 2004 at 7:12:27 PM CST
I am so thankful for the oppertunity that I had to know grandpa Loy. He willingly shared with me his garden and yard tips to get the outside of our home looking lush and welcoming. I have a Peace Rose bush in my garden because it was his favorite to grow. Thank you Grandpa for being with me the day that bush came home with me. I will charish it because it is a part of you that will always be displaying its beauty from you in our front yard. I don't think I will every be able to grow tomatos as well as you but I will try. I will never forget the valentines day that you said I was one of "your girls" too. I love you and will miss you. Your Granddaughter In-Law, Heather
From: Konnie Beauregard - Thursday, April 22, 2004 at 6:06:48 PM CST
Uncle Loy was my hero. A booming, to the toes, laugh. Coming through the door with treats we didn't get on the farm in 1962.... canned del monte zucchini with tomatoes on grocery store shelves still make me smile. Firm, fair and consistant in all matters. Another memory is April 1964 when Grandpa Jim, gravely ill, wouldn't get in the car to drive over to the Oswego Hospital. Loy drove to the farm that evening and in the sweetest, softest voice said, "Dad, lets load up my truck and take these girls for a spin." Grandpa was gone within days . Fast forward to the Gallop reunion in Iola...Uncle Loy made that a reality. In 1994 when he and Aunt Lena visited Florida I asked him for business advice....it was, as expected, golden advice. What a hero! What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes part of us. You are loved and missed Uncle Loy but our eternal hope is to be with you and all our dear departed one sweet day. Your Loving Niece, Konnie
From: Ron Gallop - Thursday, April 22, 2004 at 2:18:58 PM CST
You are truly missed.
From: Sheryl Glenn - Thursday, April 22, 2004 at 9:31:13 AM CST
To the first knight in shining armour in my life, I will miss you Daddy. As the only child, I was taught skills that most girls were not as I grew up. I work along side of you installing large scales. Mother and I worked many weekends, in the beginning of your business, when workers were hard to find. I met the man I married while we both worked together with you on a Garden City job. He started as a shy young man that you helped mold into a strong, confident, man he is today. His parents gave him a wonderful start and you polished off this gem with hard work, teaching him a good long days work was to be proud off. Jesse learned your work ethic from Steven. You were so proud of your grandson Jesse and his wife Heather. We all have a hurt in our hearts at your passing. This will heal in time, but memories of you will be around forever.
From: Ron Gallop - Tuesday, April 20, 2004 at 4:34:28 PM CST
Remark's on the occasion of Loy's memorial service. As the skies outside darken and the threat of severe weather this afternoon becomes a reality, we shall surely experience more than a few thunderbolts today - and why not? The man we are remembering here today and my father were in bed on the top story of their folk’s house when they were about 6 and 8 years old. They shared a double bed. Lightning struck the house and came through the roof and struck the mattress between them without injury to either. Of course we all know that Loy’s favorite airplane was the "Thunderbolt." Believe what you will, but it is not inconsistent to me that thunderbolts will visit here this afternoon. It is as it should be – they are just welcoming one of their own.