1930-04/18/2015
Andrew J. "Jack" Gallagher (85) of Broomfield, Colorado passed away at home on April 18 2015, surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Charleston, West Virginia, Jack grew up in the small mining town of Milburn, West Virginia. He graduated from Washington & Lee University. After college, he joined the United States Air Force and served in the Korean war. Jack completed one hundred ground attack combat missions in the USAF's first operational jet fighter; Lockheed's F-80 "Shooting Star". Among other decorations he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross and seven Air Medals. For two years following Korean service, he flew North American Aviation's F-86 fighter from their plant in Los Angeles to various locations in the US and to NATO countries. During this assignment, he met his wife Roz, then a flight attendant with United Airlines. After discharge from the USAF, he flew the Douglas B-26 (a WWII era twin engine bomber) for the Virginia Air National Guard. He held a commercial pilot's license.
He joined American Viscose Corporation (later acquired by FMC Corp) in Fredericksburg, VA in 1955, and moved to Wilmington, Delaware in 1957. During his 36 year career with FMC, he was an industrial engineer, head of manufacturing (for several operations), plant personnel manager, distribution director, and manager of Corporate HR in Philadelphia, PA. Prior to retirement, he was manager of facilities and administration for FMC's Chemical Group Headquarters in Philadelphia.
In Wilmington, Jack was active in Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church as a eucharistic minister and lector. He also engaged in charity work, most notably with the Ministry of Caring where he and Roz served on the Advocacy, and Guild Executive commitees. Jack and Roz moved to Broomfield, Colorado in 2001, where they became active members of Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Roz, three daughters: Mary G. Lancaster and her husband Rich of Broomfield, Kathleen M. Gallagher, San Antonio, TX, Anne G. Shaver and her husband Brian, Westminster, CO; two sons; Andrew "Jack" Gallagher and his wife Bernadette, Carlsbad, CA. and Michael J. Gallagher of Broomfield. He is also survived by eight grandchildren; Brian, Mike, Anne, and Elizabeth Lancaster; John and Theresa Gallagher, and Trent and Rebecca Shaver.
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