George Clark Gallagher

"George Clark Gallagher passed away August 9th at his home in Baton Rouge with his family at his side. He was 88 years old, born February 2, 1929 to George and Mercedes Gallagher in Chicago, Illinois and spent his youth in Chicago. He graduated from IIT in Civil Engineering and was recruited out of college to work for the ESSO Refinery in Baton Rouge. He volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict and was assigned to the covert U.S. Army Biological Warfare Laboratories in Fort Detrick Maryland. Upon discharge he returned to ESSO and Baton Rouge. George was an accomplished senior executive project engineer with a 50+ year Exxon career association. He worked on many interesting assignments in America and Europe including Butyl (synthetic) Rubber, the component that is credited for winning WWII and was a world-wide expert on Phthalic Anhydride, the ingredient that makes plastic pliable. George was an avid recreational sailor and the Molly D, an 18 ft. day sailor was his boat of choice. From an early age he taught all of his children how to sail. His quiet humor and thoughtful, intelligent conversation endeared him to his family and friends. Though he couldn't carry a tune, his lifelong love of classical music was foremost in his life. George enjoyed 56+ years of a long, happy, loving marriage blessed with four caring children. George is survived by his wife, Lillie Petit from Cut Off, his daughter Mary Catherine and her husband Hilton Eymard Jr. his sons, John Gallagher and his wife Carol Giltner, Paul Gallagher and his wife Michelle Bourgeois, and Charles Gallagher as well as his grandchildren Ashton Gallagher Eymard, Hilton Joseph Eymard III and Camille Ruth Gallagher. He is also survived by his brothers, Richard Gallagher and his wife Dorothy and Lt. Cdr (ret.) Robert Gallagher and his wife, JoAnn, three loving cousins; Mary Lou Ferrick, Sally Fina and Julia Rowland, his sister-in-law, Joyce Petit Fontaine and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, George and Mercedes Hackett Gallagher of Chicago and brother-in-law, Lenhard Fontaine of Mandeville, Louisiana. The family wishes to express sincere gratitude to Clarity Hospice, Dr. Mike Rolfsen, Melissa Hebert and to Millie Williams, Chan Lollis, Antoinette Robertson, Tonya Patterson, Samantha Gardner and Shena Byrd for their caring, loving support and assistance. A special thanks is extended to George's son Charles, for dedicating the last few years to oversee the care of his father, enabling him to live out his final years in his own home as he wished. Visitation will be at 2:00 p.m. until funeral mass at 3:00 p.m. on Monday August 14th at Saint Joseph Cathedral in downtown Baton Rouge, LA. with Fathers Cliff Hill, Paul Counce and Frank Uter as concelebrants. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to St. Elizabeth Foundation, 8054 Summa Ave. Baton Rouge, LA. 70809. StElizabethFoundation.org. A private family burial will be held at L'Ange Callahan Cemetery, Sacred Heart Church in Cut Off Louisiana. Rabenhorst Funeral Home Downtown is in charge of arrangements. "Behold my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased." Matthew 17.5