Born and raised in Chester, Pennsylvania by James Sr. and Helen Gallagher, Jim enjoyed a childhood rich in adventures with sister Mary Ann and brother John, and graduated from St. James High School in 1950.
He served his country in Korea, before returning to the United States and graduating from West Chester State College. He married Mary Ann Jefferson, his devoted wife of over 53 years, and they began their lives together in Claymont in 1961. In 1968, son James arrived, and the avid hunter became a caring, fantastic father.
During a 33 year career, Jim worked at the DuPont Experimental Station, from which he retired in 1993. Later, the life-long Phillies fan moved to Oceanside California, where he lived the last 16 years of his life, to be closer to his son Jimmy, daughter-in-law Juli, and granddaughter Katie.
Of all the accomplishments in his long life, he was proudest of being a dedicated husband to Mary Ann, a wonderful dad to Jim and Juli, and a proud-to-bursting Pop to Katie.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:
Scripps Hospice
PO Box 2669
La Jolla, Ca. 92038-2669
