George Francis Gallagher

George Francis Gallagher passed away Thursday March 21, 2013 in Bozeman, MT surrounded by his loving family. He fought a courageous 6 year battle with cancer. He was born February 19, 1943 to Veronica Marie Rickerl Gallagher and Clifford Paul Gallagher in Cresco, Iowa. They moved to Bozeman in 1945. He attended Holy Rosary School and graduated in 1962. He had an outstanding high school basketball career. He met his wife, Joanne Roberts Gallagher on February 19, 1960 at his 16th birthday party. It was love at first sight. They married on August 24, 1963. Their union was blessed with two sons, Michael Wayne Gallagher and Shawn Raymond Gallagher. George was the pillar of his family. Family was the most important part of his life. George started his working career at a young age, first by working on his Great Aunt’s farm. He also worked at Milam’s Greenhouse, Phillips 66 Service Station, followed by Pacific Hide and Fur and ended his working career in 2000 when he retired from the Montana Power with 30 years of service. George also coached high school girls’ softball. He was also very involved with AAU Wrestling for many years. He was a member of the bowling, pool and softball leagues in the Gallatin Valley. He belonged to the Gallatin Valley and the Montana Snowmobile Association. He was also a member of the Elks Club, National Rifle Association, The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Black Ram Archery Club. He spent his time relaxing, hunting, and fishing with his family and friends on Flathead Lake, and one of his most favored places, the Gravelly Mountain Range. He spent his retirement years building his dream home, restoring his ’34 Chevy Coupe, and spending the summer months at his and Joanne’s home on Shady Lane on Flathead Lake. He is survived by his wife, Joanne Roberts Gallagher, and son, Michael Wayne (Brenda) Gallagher, Granddaughters, Ashley Kae Gallagher and Jessica Marie Gallagher, son Shawn Raymond Gallagher, sisters, Sylvia Hammerland, Phyllis (David ) Johansen, brother in-law, David Roberts. He is also survived by two Aunts, Joan Rickerl and Bernadette Hathaway and an Uncle, Herman Rickerl, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Veronica and Clifford Gallagher, Mother and Father-in law, Betty Jo and Bill Roberts, Brother Raymond L. Gallagher and brother In-Law David Hammerland. George will be greatly missed by the many lives he has touched. Donations in memory of George may be made to a charity of your choice. Services will be held Tuesday March 26, 2013, 2:00 o’clock p.m. at the Dahl Funeral Chapel 300 Highland Blvd, Bozeman, MT 59715. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.dahlcares.com