James Dennis Gallagher

On Christmas Day we lost the most wonderful dad and best husband, James Dennis Gallagher (August 22, 1938 to December 25, 2016).  As the oldest of Frank and Ruth Gallagher's nine children Dennis attended Holy Cross Catholic School in Santa Cruz, California.  Dennis honed his basketball and golf skills while holding a myriad of jobs in high school, including selling watermelons from a truck.  His large family provided ample ammunition for what could have been a comedic novel.  He joined the National Guard and then the U.S. Navy where he became a Russian Linguist.
  He met his 'first wife (and only)' Kathryn 'Kate' Lynn Ricker in Bakersfield, home to many in the Gallagher and Ricker clans.  Kate flew to Istanbul, Turkey in October 1963 with a suitcase and the promise of marriage. They were married three times in two weeks because once was never enough, at the US embassy in Istanbul, Karamursel Air Base, and in the Golchuk governor's office.
Throughout the years, living and traveling to ancient sites in historical Turkey, Spain, Japan and beautiful Maryland, Dennis and Kate lived a magical life.  Joining them on their magical journey in Turkey was their most favorite son Andrew, and sisters Elsa in Japan and Jessica in Annapolis, Maryland.  Dennis and Kate settled in Albuquerque, New Mexico and both worked at D.O.E. after Denny's proud retirement from the US Navy (CTIC).
Dennis loved his golf, Lobo sports, travel, and his many dogs through the years.  He loved spending time with his grandsons Chase and Clay, indoctrinating them into the 'Coon Club (where donning a Daniel Boone style raccoon tailed cap and drinking root beer floats are the main activity).  He loved Kate dearly and was immensely proud of all his children and grandsons.  Dad was the gen-tlest, kindest, most loving and humorous father and husband.  We can only strive every day to emu-late his example as we remember the joy he brought to so many.
Burial at the National Cemetery in Santa Fe, New Mexico on January 10, 2017.  Dennis is sur-vived by his wife of 53 years Kate Gallagher, children Andrew Gallagher (Patrick Lanagan) Washougal, Washington, Elsa Gallagher (Jeff Moody) Excello, Missouri, and Jessica Hann (Jon Hann) Gallatin, Missouri , and grandsons Chase and Clay Benton.  Donations in lieu of flowers to your local SPCA.