Vernon “Red” Thaddeus Gallagher passed away peacefully, with family by his side on May 1, 2014, at the age of 90, at the Veterans Home in Columbia Falls.  

Red was born in Kellogg, Idaho, on Nov. 11, 1923, to William and Maude Gallagher. The family moved to Anaconda when Red was an infant. Following graduation from Anaconda Central High School, he joined the Navy during World War II where he served on the USS Douglas Fox destroyer and survived heavy enemy fire while on duty in the South Pacific.

After the war, Red returned to Anaconda, where he met and fell in love with his soul mate, Esther “Ace” Eckberg. They were married June 7, 1948, and then moved to Kalispell where Red worked as a printer at O’Neil Printers. He remained there until his retirement in 1988.

Red was blessed with an Irish sense of humor, and was a talented man who excelled in woodworking and sports. While he didn't have much luck in passing on his carpentry skills to his children, he did impassion them with a love for sports by playing, coaching and teaching them. He loved local high school and college sports teams, and spent most Saturdays in the fall cheering for the Montana Grizzlies. Red had a passion for golf (Hitting two holes in one and never missing a putt inside three feet!), bowling, and was an avid fisherman. The only thing he loved more was hauling his trailer on camping/golf trips with good friends.  

A dedicated community member, Red was a member of the Kalispell BPOE Elks lodge for 51 years, served as an exalted ruler, and was a longtime secretary for the lodge. For 35 years, Red served as the secretary of the Kalispell Men's Bowling Association and was inducted into the Montana Bowling Hall of Fame in 1983. He also served on the board of directors for the Buffalo Hill Golf Club, and was a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Knights of Columbus.

The leading influence in his life was his love for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Raised a Roman Catholic, he served as an altar boy in his youth and stayed true to his faith at St. Matthew's Church until his death.  

Red is survived by his loving wife, Ace, of 65 years; his five children and their families, Tim and Mimi of Corvallis, Ore., Gary and Linda of Redding, Calif., Tom and Irene of Clinton, Miss., Sandra of Martinez, Calif., and Shannon and John More of Corvallis. His grandchildren include Kelly, Kyle, Erika, Lauren, Alexis, Skyler and Stacy Gallagher, and Kevin and Justin More. His first great-grandchild is expected in November.  

Red was preceded in death by his parents, William and Maude; a brother, Emmett, and sisters, Ellen Larsen and Virginia Monahan.  

Our family would like to give a special thanks to his sister-in-law, Helen Clark, the family of Rick and Karen Weaver and the family of Jim and Katie O’Day who provided a much appreciated level of love and care to Red, especially during his last days.

A memorial service for Red will be held at 12:10 p.m. on Tuesday, May 27, at St. Matthew's Church, with graveside services at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery. An Irish wake will follow at Buffalo Hill Golf Club. We encourage those attending to wear Red's favorite color — green, of course!  

Proud of his Irish ancestry, we leave our Dad with an Irish blessing he knew very well: “May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face. And the rain fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.”

Our tears will fade, but our love and memories of him will never. Thank you for all you have given.