Dr. Kenneth Gallion of Redlands, California ascended into Heaven on July 28, 2021, at age 72 surrounded by his family. He was not well this past year and was diagnosed this July with ALS at UCLA Ronald Regan Medical Center, that progressed rapidly and tragically ended his life too soon.

Ken was born 7/24/49 in Waynesville, MO. to Bill and Alice Gallion. Grew up in MO, North Dakota and moved to Whittier, CA He graduated from Lowell High School, Whittier 1968. He was employed at Custom Palace Auto Parts in Pico Rivera, CA owned by his Father Bill Gallion. He was drafted into the Navy and was a Vietnam Veteran. He went on to graduate with his Respiratory Therapy degree . Ken married Darlene 1-8-77 and they moved to Loma Linda, CA 1979 where he obtained his BS in Respiratory Therapy from LLU. He then worked as director of Rio Hondo College Respiratory Therapy Program. After 10 years, he undertook a large educational challenge, with 2 children already , and began a career change to become a Dentist. He graduated from Loma Linda School of Dentistry 1991. He also became a father again with the birth of his 3rd child in 1992! He owned 2 dental practices, Southwest Dental in Cathedral City, CA and Redlands, CA. In 1992 , moved to Redlands and raised a family there.

Ken enjoyed being with family, staying at Hale Kimo, our family getaway each summer on North Shore, Oahu. He loved being with all his grandchildren and we took many trips with them. He loved Mexican food, guacamole and silver patron margaritas. He spent many summers with Liz Elam (his 1st cousin) on her farm in Missouri. He would help with her with her cattle, shoot targets and traveled on 4 wheelers. He enjoyed a special friendship with his best friend Dr. Dave Powers. They met in Dental school at LLU School of Dentistry. They fixed both teeth and cars together, traveled and shared many special memories. He had many other friends from dental school, friends from a monthly couples Bunco Supper Club of over 20 years and close friends through his children. He loved playing card games whether it be golf with his grandkids, five crowns with friends or a mean game of Rummy with his father-in-law Jim Smith. He loved parties and Halloween was his favorite holiday and he went all out with decorations, including the "Pumpkin Time bomb game"! Ken was generous, and a doer, a man who could never sit still and was always busy or making a plan to be busy. There wasn't a problem he couldn't solve or anything he couldn't fix. This diagnosis was given weeks before he passed and that's how Ken would have wanted to know such news. He spent this past year tired and not always himself but he spent most of that time living in the mindset that he could still do anything. It was not the diagnosis he wanted, but he left us the way he lived, on his own terms.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Darlene Gallion of Redlands; 3 children: Katy (Robert) Nickell of Manhattan Beach; Steven (Jennifer) Gallion of Redlands; Kevin Gallion of Redlands. He was so proud of his 5 grandchildren: Taylor Gallion (13), Lincoln Nickell ( 11), Carter Nickell (10), Tessa Nickell ( 8) and Gavin Gallion (7). He also leaves his brother Wayne (Vicki) Gallion of Mission Viejo; His favorite Father-in -Law Jim Smith of Whittier; 3 sister-in-laws: Kim Smith, Donna Spero and Margie Fenger. His Favorite Missouri cousin Liz Elam held a special place in his heart, Richland, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents Bill (1999) and Alice (1977) Gallion; Also preceded in death by Stell Smith (2009), his loving mother-in-law. He also leaves behind 3 nephews Noah Spero, Abel Spero and Kendle Smith and one niece Hannah Fisher.

Per his wishes, Ken wanted an immediate small family gathering , no service. Then, he wanted to have a Celebration of his life, July 24, 2022 to take place in Redlands. He was a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, and will be missed but always remembered.