John Gallagher

On September 14th, 2019, John Charles Gallagher, father, brother, uncle, veteran, and friend,
passed away. He was 64 years old.
John was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut on July 14, 1955 to Charles and Joan Gallagher. He
was a younger brother to Mary and an older brother to Neal. John worked as a carpenter
starting at a very young age, quickly finding a passion for creating beauty out of nothing.
In 1973, one month after his 18th birthday and toward the end of the Vietnam War, John
enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He served for 6 years achieving the rank of
Sergeant and receiving a National Defense Medal and Good Conduct Medal.
On Christmas Day, 1989 John achieved his first day of sobriety. The rest of his life was spent
committed to helping others do the same. He was an involved member of Alcoholics
Anonymous and sponsored many struggling with addiction.
In the early 1990’s John moved to New Mexico and in 1993 became a father to Joshua Bellin-
Gallagher, born in Grants. His pride and joy for being a father made him even better at
everything he did. He was a loving and supporting father and to his son he was an admirable
role model for hard work, selflessness, perseverance, and composure. He is and will continue
to be responsible for all of Joshua’s accomplishments.
Over the next several years John lived across parts of New Mexico and Oklahoma before
spending over a year in Afghanistan building military bases for U.S. troops during Operation
Enduring Freedom.
John moved to Capitan in 2005 where he quickly became involved in numerous community
organizations including the Wild Horses of Lincoln County and the Republican Party of Lincoln
County. Shortly before his death, he worked with Assistance Dogs of the West to breed and
train dogs to use as service and support animals for disabled veterans.
John’s purpose was to consistently serve. His house was always open to anyone who needed
a place to sleep, a meal to eat, or just a friendly conversation. To the day he died John helped
others. It is what he dedicated his life to and how he will be remembered. John was a servant
of his country, his community, his friends, and his family. Though he will be missed, his legacy
will survive through all of those whose lives he impacted.
John Charles Gallagher will be laid to rest at the Fort Stanton State Veterans Cemetery on Friday, October
11th at 10:30 A.M.