Samuel Belton Galloway Jr.

Sam Galloway passed away peacefully at the age of 77 in Palm Harbor, Florida. He and his wife, Mary, moved to Safety Harbor in 2019 to be close to their children and grandchildren, but Sam spent most of his life and career in Pensacola, Florida.

Sam was born on August 18, 1948, in Jackson, Mississippi, to Samuel Belton Galloway, Sr. and Mary Kay Galloway, joining his older sister, Patricia. Sam was baptized in the Methodist faith at Galloway Memorial United Methodist Church in Jackson, which was named for his great-grandfather, Bishop Charles Betts Galloway. His father served in the Air Force, requiring the family to move frequently. This no doubt shaped Sam, as he had to learn quickly how to adapt, make friends, and stay on top of his studies. He even attended three different second grades. He liked to tell of his time in French Morocco, when the family would have to check their shoes for scorpions!

After high school, Sam attended his first two years of college at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He played baseball his freshman year at UNC, as he had a lifelong passion for the sport. He often said he would have liked to have had a career in baseball as a television or radio announcer. He also served in the Air Force Reserve. His parents had retired to Valparaiso, Florida, so Sam transferred to the University of Florida in 1968 to be closer to his family. This decision influenced the rest of Sam's life, as he became an avid fan of the Florida Gators. He earned his bachelor's degree in 1970 and his master's degree in 1972, both in finance, from UF.

He was also a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity.

Sam returned to Pensacola, where he met his wife and the love of his life, Mary, in 1974. After marrying in 1976 and earning his CPA license in 1978, Sam and Mary moved to New Orleans.

While living in New Orleans, they welcomed their son, Matthew, in 1980. True to Sam's hardworking spirit, he pursued a master's degree in taxation at the University of New Orleans, which he earned in 1982. Not long after, Sam, Mary, and Matthew moved back to Pensacola. Sam and Mary welcomed their daughter, Meredith, in 1983.

Around that time, Sam joined Tom Bizzell and George Neff and became a partner in an accounting practice for more than 30 years. He was trusted for his abilities and honesty, and was involved in the community as a parishioner of First United Methodist Church and member of the Rotary Club.

Sam was a kind man who was not always outgoing, but he was truthful, faithful, and dependable. A devoted family man, celebrating nearly 50 years of marriage. Proud father to Matthew and Meredith, both attending the University of Florida. His passions included Gator athletics, family, and community service. Survived by wife Mary, children Matthew and Meredith, grandchildren Cooper, Brody, Blake, Sloan, Cameron, Colton, Juliana, sister Patricia, and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters-in-law Suzanne Foster and Marguerite Dittrick.