Garland Miller “GM” Gallaspy, Jr., of Chelsea, Alabama, passed away on December 23, 2025. He was surrounded by the love of his family. Though known formally as Garland Miller Gallaspy, Jr., he was simply “Jim” to most and affectionately called “Kamo” by his buddies. To those who mattered most, he was “Poppy.”
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Sandra Crosby Gallaspy, whom he met at Mississippi State University—thanks, as he liked to say, to a set of pretty legs, big brown eyes, and a short mini skirt. The Lord knew exactly what He was doing when He blessed that hunting, fishing, baseball-loving Mississippi country boy with three daughters: Rachel (Jeremy) Bailey, Lesley (Greg) Hardin, and Andrea (Jonathan) Maddox.
Jim is also survived by his siblings Richard (Shelley) Gallaspy, Hank (Sara) Gallaspy, and Cherie (late Woody) Bond, along with nieces, nephews, and numerous cousins who will miss him dearly.
Jim’s proudest role was being Poppy to his grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his eldest granddaughter, Jessica, and his family finds comfort in knowing she was waiting to welcome her Poppy home. He is survived by his beloved grandchildren, Lane Hardin, Mary Beth Bailey, Brooke Bailey, Nathan Maddox, Andrew Maddox, and Hannah Maddox.
Raised in Kosciusko, Mississippi, Jim was the eldest child of Garland Miller “Mac” Gallaspy, Sr., and Ellouise Fancher Gallaspy. He graduated from Mississippi State University with a degree in Agricultural Science and proudly served in the Army Reserves in his twenties. Jim dedicated his professional career to public service, serving as Alabama Department of Public Health's Director, Milk Branch.
In addition to his service with the Alabama Department of Public Health, Jim held officer positions for numerous organizations on a state and national level dedicated to safeguarding the integrity and safety of the nation’s dairy products and food processing practices. He proudly collaborated with regulators and industry leaders across the country. Jim took great pride in this work, knowing it protected both public health and the livelihoods of those within the dairy and food processing industries.
A loyal fan, Jim loved cheering on his favorite team, Mississippi State—“Go Dawgs!”—but nothing brought him more joy than watching his grandson, Lane, play ball. Being a “girl dad” his entire life, Lane gave him a welcome break from all things girlie. Still, Jim loved his girls fiercely and spent countless hours proudly watching them cheer, twirl, and swim, cherishing every moment.
He cherished his friendships gained through Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, Diamond Mountain Hunting Reserve, work colleagues, his Sunday School class at Meadowbrook Baptist Church, and many friends he considered family.
Jim will be greatly missed, but his legacy lives on through the love he poured into his family, the laughter he shared with friends, and the steady example he set as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend.
A visitation for Mr. Gallaspy is planned at Radney-Smith Funeral Home, 320 N Elm Avenue, in Sylacauga, on Saturday, December 27, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. The funeral service will follow at 3:00 p.m. in the Radney-Smith Chapel. Pastor Chris Jones will officiate. Serving as pallbearers are Jeremy Bailey, Jonathan Maddox, Greg Hardin, Lane Hardin, Fancher Gallaspy, Hugh McDonald, and Ross Sargent. Interment will take place at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery, Talladega Hwy, Sylacauga, AL.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jim's memory may be made to the Meadowbrook Baptist Church. https://www.meadowbrookbaptist.org/contact-giving/
