Thomas Joseph Gallagher

Yorktown, Virginia – Thomas Joseph Gallagher, 89, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 19, 2024. Tom was a native of Parkersburg, West Virginia, born on June 22, 1935.
“As I leave this earth, I am reminded of the eternal love I have for my wife, Valerie, with whom I am now reunited in heaven. When deployed to England in 1957, I met Valerie at a dance in Newbury, England. She overwhelmed me with her beauty, kindness, and of course, she could really dance. I guess my snazzy dance moves swept her off her feet! Valerie was above and beyond words, in every respect. In other words, she was absolutely smashing. I knew then she was the one for me, so we committed to getting married shortly thereafter, fulfilling my military enlistment in 1957. Well, we ultimately did it together through 61 years of life and marriage and raising six loving children”.
“Starting from scratch with only the financial G.I. bill, I was able to attain an undergraduate degree from Glenville State University, WV, and a graduate degree from the University of Southern California in Frankfurt, Germany. Upon terminating my 25 year Air Force military career, I was selected to establish York County’s 911 system. Once established, I was then selected as the biologist for the county’s environmental services department for a total of 28 years. Upon my retirement from York County, I reluctantly should mention that my Valerie said to me that I was a hardheaded, Irish man. She was right! I truthfully couldn’t have done life without my wife’s enduring commitment, support and of course, her ultimate love”.
Tom was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Valerie Jean, his daughter Patricia and grandson Christopher. He is survived by his five children, Debbie (Keith), Stephen (Sumalee), Valerie (Mur), Maureen (Maceo) and Marian, six grandchildren, Nicholas, Tiffany, Brittany, Sydney, Hillary and Joey, seven great grandchildren, Bryce, Makayla, Chloe, Audrey, Braden, Lilly and Tate.
A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:30 AM on Friday, December 27, 2024, at Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Church, Yorktown, Va. The family will receive friends and celebrate Tom’s life on Thursday from 6 to 8pm, with a short service starting at Amory Funeral home at 6pm.