Gallagher Skip Jr. John
June 28, 1948 ~ September 13, 2011
Gallagher, John “Skip” Jr, 63, passed away Tuesday, September 13, 2011. Skip was born on June 28, 1948 to John and Dorothy Gallagher. Skip grew up in Miami, FL, moving to Wichita in 1993. He was an employee of Raytheon Airline Aviation Services for 31 years in aircraft sales. Skip also proudly served his country as an Airborne Army Veteran. Skip lived his life to the fullest and was an avid skydiver and snowboarder. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Robert Gallagher, and daughter Amy LeBeague. He is survived by his wife Lorrie; daughter, Erin Eilert (Michael) of Andover, daughter, Angela of Wichita; sister Lynn Martin of Florida; niece Theresa Rayens (Bill) of Kentucky; 9 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Rosary will be 7:00 P.M., Friday, September 16, 2011, and Funeral Mass will be 10:00 A.M., Saturday, September 17, 2011, both at St Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Andover. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established with Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center, 5500 East Kellogg, Wichita, Kansas 67218 and Disabled American Veterans, 926 North Mosley, Wichita, Kansas 67214. Downing Lahey Mortuary East.
Rosary service 7:00 P.M. Friday at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Andover, KS
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Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
Dear Lorrie and Erin, We always smile when we think of Skip and we applaud his full life and many loves. You are in our prayers and in this time of loss we pray you find comfort in the love and support of family and friends.
My heartfelt condolences go out to Skips family. Skip is in a better place. Don’t cry because it is over, smile because he was in your life. May God Bless Skip and your family. Larry L.’Cowboy’ Wiezorek (Skydiver, Carbondale,Ks)
My Dear Cousins Lorrie and Erwin,there are no words…know that I’m so thankful that I got a chance to meet Skip and talk with him several times by phone. I knew right away what a wonderful person he was.You all have been and will continue to be in my thoughts prayers. May the memories sustain you through the these difficult days ahead. Remember we are family . Lorrie and Erwin if anything I can do to help you through this I’m here for you. All my Love, Cousin Cindy
Christie and I are deeply saddened to hear of Skip’s untimely passing. He was a great man with many talents and blessings and will be sincerely missed by all of us who were fortunate to know Skip and have him as our friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult transition.
Lorrie and Erin, Our love, thoughts and prayers are with you now and in the days ahead. Please know that Skip’s memory will always be with us.
May Skip always be remembered for the look of awe on the children’s faces when he parachuted in for he and Lorrie’s Christmas Parties, and then handed out their presents ~ He was a pleasure to work with (and for), and will be missed!
What a remarkable person. I worked for the Raytheon team for a short time, but will never forget his comment to me that when you work for the group, you are always family. We are so sorry for your loss and he will be missed dearly.
Lorrie, Erin and family: Greg and I feel very blessed having known such a wonderful human being. He was a charming man that made us laugh with his sense of humor and his wonderful, witty personality. We will miss him. May the peace, which comes from the memories of love shared, comfort you now and in the days ahead. With heartfelt condolences, Patti & Greg McCurley
Skip left us all with some really great memories. I truly loved the way he lived his life and how he treated everyone with such a kind respect. He was a blast to be with, cared about everyone and most certainly was a positive influence on my life..
Skip was the real deal. He died pursuing his passion. He has left us with a void; a good friend who is no longer with us. Our prayers go out to his family.
Dearest Lorrie: Dana and I were saddened to learn of Skip’s passing. He certainly loved life and his passion for skydiving. He will be sorely missed. Dana and I last saw you and Skip at the Subway shop on South Greenwich. We’ve attended several parties at your lovely home. I’m living and working in Little Rock until year end. Sadly, I won’t be able to attend Skip’s services. Our deepest sympathy, Dave and Dana Beranek
Lorrie, Erin and Family, We are so sorry for your loss. As you know, Skip was a big part of our Hawker Beechcraft/RAAS family and we will miss him dearly. I have such great memories of working with Skip over the years…what a great person! We hope it helps to know you have friends who care and please let us know if there is anything we can do to ease your burden. May God bless you and give you strength during this very difficult time.
To a fun loving friend that loved life. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends. He died doing what he loved to do. God Bless All of You! Teresa Hagel
We are so very sorry for your loss. Skip was an awesome guy and we will sorely miss his smiling face and uplifting personality at Cook airfield. You are in our thoughts and prayers. May God comfort you in this very difficult time.
Skip, I enjoyed working with you and you will be missed.
Two pics of Skip from 1971 at Raeford, NC under his PC canopy. Photos by Dave Regenthal
Mike Ripcord C-8021