A proud American life has ended. As guarded as he was gregarious, Colonel Thomas Kevin Gallagher closed his blue eyes for the last time on November 26, 2011. His life of 83 years was one of service and loyalty to God, country and family. He leaves behind a legacy of accomplishment and his contribution to the USAF and national intelligence cannot be overstated.
Gallagher is survived by daughters, Karen Gallagher and Keleen Miller and son-in-law Evan Miller (Lt Col USAF Ret) of Buda, and treasured grandchildren Michelle, Kevan, Lauren and Caroline, and cousins in Montana, Ireland and California. His family will remember his playful Irish wit, love of animals, commitment to lifelong learning and the love and support he provided each of them.
Thomas Kevin Gallagher was born on January 18, 1928. Both he and older brother Charles were raised in Butte, Montana, where they were altar boys and students at Immaculate Conception and graduates of Boys’ Central High School. Gallagher attended Notre Dame University and graduated from Gonzaga University. He enlisted in the Navy, but it was not long before he found his true career calling in the United States Air Force (USAF). He married Betty Ann Erickson over Independence Day weekend 1952.
He volunteered to serve in Vietnam as Director of Joint Services, Special Intelligence Collection, where he earned a Bronze Star. When he returned, he had lost 30 percent of his hearing after a bomb exploded under his transport bus. He would have a lifelong struggle to hear but remained an engaging conversationalist. Gallagher’s career spanned more than 40 years and took his family around the world.
Gallagher was also devoted to his church and family. He took great pride in commissioning his daughter Keleen into Air Force Nurse Corps and seeing daughter Karen work as a television news anchor/reporter.
On December 5, Fr. Eddie Bernal celebrated a Catholic Mass in Gallagher’s honor at Air Force Village Chapel followed by interment at Fort Sam Houston Military Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (http://www.alz.org, 800.272.3900) or to your local animal shelter.
