Galen Mudgett Obituary

Galen E. Mudgett, Jr.

Sharon, VT - Galen Earl Mudgett, Jr., 81 died Thursday, February 20, 2025 in a tragic house fire at his home in Sharon, VT.

He was born July 28, 1943 in Randolph, VT the son of Galen E. and Hazel (Bicknell) Mudgett. He attended Sharon Elementary School before going to South Royalton High School where he graduated in 1961. He later attended Vermont Technical College where he graduated in 1963.

Galen worked on the family dairy farm for a few years before enlisting in the Air Force in 1968. He served from 1968 to 1973. Before reenlisting in the Air Force in May 1975, he worked for T & L Electric of White River Jct. In 1995, at the rank of Senior Master Sargent, Galen was honorably discharged from the military at which time he purchased his home and retired to Sharon.

Galen became very involved in Sharon town affairs. He served as Town Meeting Moderator for both school and town meetings and served decades as a town lister. He received the Vermont State Lister of the Year award in 2006.

Galen enjoyed volunteering at the Sharon Congregational Church, Knights of Columbus in White River Jct. and the West Lebanon Congregational Church where he enjoyed baking pies for each respective church suppers.

When serving in Vietnam, the volunteered often at a local orphanage. While stationed at several Foreign Air Force bases, he was an outdoor enthusiast, an avid bicyclist and participated in several German Volks Walks. He enjoyed learning conversational German language.

Galen also enjoyed playing in the South Royalton Town Band, playing his saxophone at area Senior Centers and Nursing Homes. He was dedicated to growing his vegetable and flower gardens and taking good care of his house and land. Galen was a stockholder in the Tunbridge Fair and for many years, worked in the vegetable area in the Dodge Gilman Building and later in the Floral Hall. Galen had a love for "all things" passenger and freight train and especially the Central Vermont Railway, which he would note if running on schedule.

Galen was an honest man that prided himself in doing things right the first time. True to his yankee roots, he saved everything to be used again when needed. He was especially proud of all the places he traveled to in his life.

Galen is survived by four sisters; Sandra Whitney (Merrill) of Chelsea, VT, Ruth Roy (Dr. David Roy) of Hyde Park, VT, Lois Hayworth of Waterbury Center, VT and Lola Noyes (Dan) of Moretown, VT, several nieces, nephews, cousins, a special friend Manoel (Airton) Ximenes Engles of White River Jct., VT, his work family on friends.

He was predeceased by his devoted partner and best friend James Sheehan in 2018 and his brother-in-law Steven Hayworth in 2010.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 1:00 pm at the Sharon Elementary School, 135 School St., Sharon, VT 05065.

A private burial will be at a later date at the Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Randolph Center, VT.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Town of Sharon Trustee of Public Funds, c/o Martha Fisk, 4626 VT RT14, Sharon, VT 05065, to the Tunbridge Fair Association, 1 Fairground Lane, Tunbridge, VT 05077, Attn: Ingrid Pease, Secretary of Fair; or to the South Royalton Town Band.

The Boardway and Cilley Funeral Home, Chelsea, VT is in charge of arrangements. A private message of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.boardwayandcilley.com.