James P. Gallagher
June 9, 1937 - March 23, 2021
Jim Gallagher passed away peacefully at home on March 23, 2021 due to complications from a stroke. He was born on June 9, 1937 in Milwaukee, WI to Bernice Casper and George Kugel. He was adopted as an infant by James and Mary Gallagher and grew up in Green Bay with his siblings Judee and Michael. Jim graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1962 and was stationed in Dover, DE, Newfoundland, Canada, and Nashville, TN. In 1964, while shopping for a car in Washington, D.C. he met and married the love of his life, Judy Pier, of Shaker Heights, Ohio. They have been happily married for 56 years.
After leaving the Air Force in 1969, Jim joined Western Airlines and moved his family to Los Angeles, CA. There he joined the Lotus West car club and spent many weekends with Judy winning slalom races in his Lotus Super 7. Jim had an Illustrious barbershop singing experience. He sang in over 10 quartets singing with the Beehive Statesmen, BQPA, and Tri-W. He regularly attended the annual Harmony College convention to share his love of singing. Through these hobbies he made many lifelong friendships across the country. In 1982, Jim and Judy moved their family from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City. At age 60, Jim retired from Delta Airlines and spent the next ten years skiing at Solitude with the FOGS “as many days in the ski season as his age.” He loved the outdoor life in Utah, biking, hiking, and star gazing. Jim and Judy spent their marriage traveling to all the US states and over 50 countries. In their later adventures, they befriended a travel group and made many memories together. Jim was “Mr. Fix-It”, known throughout the community as the go to man for any problem. He will be missed for his selfless support of his friends, neighbors, and children for all their house and car repairs.
Later in life, Jim was fortunate to be reunited with his birth mother, Bernice, and 3 siblings. Many happy trips and reunions resulted from this connection and filled Jim and his family’s hearts with more love than thought possible.
Jim is survived by his loving wife, Judy, of 56 years, his five children, Peter, David (Miriam), Debra, Daniel, and Katie Thomas (Chris), ten grandchildren, Robert, James, Ethan, Hailey, Lauren, Lindsay, Henry, Caroline, Sidney, and Ella. Jim is also survived by his siblings Jim Kugel (Kris), Joan Collins (Bob), Frank Kugel (Debbie), brother-in-law Philip Pier (Alice) and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Jim’s life will be on Thursday, April 15, 2021 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City.
In Loving Memory
Judy and family, please accept my heartfelt condolences. Jim was truly one of the “good guys.” As a First Officer I was always excited when bids came out and I was going to have the pleasure of flying with Jim in the next month. And we flew together a number of times. I last saw Jim at a luncheon at Summit Vista; we talked afterwards and he was, as always, smiling and energetic. May God bless you and your family with strength and hope at this time. Jim’s memory will always be a bright spot in my recollections.
Judy & Family, We are saddened by Jim's passing. Please know you are in our thoughts, our hearts, and our prayers. Gene & Debbie
Sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. Seems like yesterday I saw him in his garage building or repairing something he needed for a project of his. A life well lived. Our condolences to you and your family Judy. Jim and Joanie Edwards
I remember many barbershop harmony events that included Jim. 'Loved his happy spirit and always willing to harmonize a tune or a tag. May he rest in peace. I send my best wishes to all the Gallagher family.
Dear Judy and Family, We send our sympathy. We will remember good times together among some the Cedar City Shakespeare Festival and the Luau -picture attached. Best to you, at this time, Barbara and Stuart
I had the pleasure of knowing Jim since 1958 at the USAF Academy. Jim was a caring, thoughtful, and energetic person who was always fun to be around. We were based together first in the Air Force, and then with Western and Delta Airlines. His engaging smile and fast wit seemed to be always with him, no matter the problems of the day. He will be missed by all who were fortunate to be around him.
Dear Judy and Family, We first met Jim at pilot training in 1962. Margaret and I enjoyed his friendship during that year. He always had an interest in sports cars as he was driving a Jaguar at that time. After the air force I went to work with Delta and Jim was with Western and we reconnected while you still lived in California. Then we both ended up with Delta. Margaret and I send our most sincere condolences. Sincerely, Andre Lovas
Aunt Judy, and all my cousins , I want you to know how sorry I am to hear that U. J. has passed. I feel so lucky to have been spent time with him. He was like a father to me and I am eternally grateful for him being in my life. Love, Brenda and family
I'll always remember quartet rehearsals with Jim, and frustrating the other members when the rehearsal turned into "gearhead" talk. Also the fun quartet drive to competition in Cheyenne when we had to take a quick detour to the Evanston hospital for a kidney stone. Jim toughed it out and albeit although a little drugged up we still competed that very evening. He was a great friend and quartet mate, I will miss him dearly.
Judy,I was so sorry to hear about Jim. We have shared so many adventures since we first met on that trip to Antarctica on the old Russian spy ship and icebreaker, the Marco Polo. I have so many memories of circumventing Africa ( remember climbing the sand dunes in Namibia), exploring ancient cultures in Turkey, Indonesia and Central America, sailing the South Pacific for 60 days and meeting exotic animals in the Gallopagus Islands with you and Jim. Then there were our trips to Europe! How many times did we visit Barcelona! How many games of "Crazy Rummy" did we play! I loved the exploring we did on our own. Remember our trip to the zoo in Guatemala City, where as non-natives,we were as much an object of curiosity as the animals? Jim's presence, adventurous spirit, curiosity and love of travel will be missed but hopefully in time, you will find comfort in remembering the well-lived life you shared.
Judy we were so sad to hear of Jim's passing. Best wishes to you and your family. Pat & Don
Dear Judy and Family. We were saddened to hear of Jim's passing. I just discovered the video on Jmi's obituary page. I watched the whole thing. What a wonderful tribute to a wonderful guy! Looks like you chose the same path after retirement that my wife and I did, I retired fron the Air Force in 1990 and we began our cruise adventures in 1995 at my wife's insistence and never looked back. We recognize many of the backgrounds in your photos. We spent the next 25 years traveling and have no regrets. Unfortunately, medical problems have entered the picture to alter our life style, but you can't erase those memories! I did videos for my sister on her 70th birthday and my mother on her passing at 84, but will probably have to do my own (better get started, LOL). We last saw Jim at our 50th RTB reunion and were entertained by his impromptu sing alongs on the piano. What great memories! Please accept our deepest condolences for your loss. Thank you for sharing yours and Jim's lives together. Randy and Lieu Schamberger, Class of '62 RTB's
Dear Judy, Diane and I are very sad to learn that Jim passed away last spring. I tried to email Jim recently and got an automated reply that the old email address had been hacked. I also tried to call your old number in Sandy, UT, but the number no longer works. So I searched the internet and found Jim's obituary from Starks Funeral Parler. We have such wonerful memories of our association with you and Jim through Lotus West. Without Jim's help I could not have built our Lotus Seven, for which I will always be grateful. Thank you for all the years you have sent us Christmas cards with letters about your tavels and your family that made us feel like we were still in touch. We hope you are doing OK and know that we miss Jim, too.
In Loving Memory
