A Celebration of Life

We stayed over in Monroe, LA to give Tia

a bit more time before we descended.  

A little car school work.

First night in Mississippi and Drew is finalizing his story 

 of Dale, asking Tia for some missing pieces. 

At Walkmart trying to piece together some clothes

for the Celebration of Life.

A moment with the Four wheel, this toy

continued to be a main attraction for Bobo from

the beginning to the end.  Thanks Uncle Jon!

Our space. 

How do you walk to your husbands Celebration of Life.

One step at a time I figure. 

Bobo said, "We won't ever get over it.  

Name will never be the same.  First name

I heard of was Papa D."

Pam and Tia.

Drew spoke good words for his dad

about his life.

Preacher Bob delivered!

Tia's friends in a line of solidarity. 

A high school classmates of Dale's.

This time is good for our kiddos to see Drew's

home and the people who were in his life.

It was good for Andrew to reconnect with

different family members.

Cousins.

A place for everything and everything in it's place?!?

This will be our home for the next several weeks, we aren't

even sure how long, just trusting we will know.  There are

affairs to sort through and being available to Tia in the ways 

she need us to be. 

School books!  Time to begin to organize. 

A blessed celebration through word, song, and fellowship for Dale and this 

rainbow showed up.  Now we see what is next.

He was born to Henry Charles Gallagher and Grace Gallagher and succeeded by brother Charles. 

Dale really enjoyed growing up In Natchez. He was active in sports from the “get go” primarily focusing on basketball and football. Excelling in each. We have heard stories about Dale the all star quarterback. He was also all conference in the Big Eight. 

He received a full ride football scholarship to Ole Miss. During pre-season practice of his Freshmen year, Dale tore his ACL ligament during practice. He began the process of rehabilitating his knee and enrolled in Kilgore College. Although Dale’s knee never fully recovered, he eventually went back to Ole Miss for his bachelors degree. In the years that followed, he went to American university and George Washington university in D.C. working towards graduate degrees. 

His love for music, which had begun much earlier, now began to blossom. 

While playing music, Dale met Agnes Krantiz. Together they had Susan and Andrew Gallagher.  Eventually, Dale’s love of music took him to the Crescent City. 

Dale taught guitar lessons during the day and played with Al Hurt in the evening. 

Andrew Eugene (that’s me) was born in 1970. Dale eventually decided to become his own musician and travel around the country playing various venues. He even wrote and produced his own album, Kinda Country.  Dale eventually felt the call of fatherhood and decided to take a permanent gig at The Hill night club in Jackson, Mississippi while raising Andrew and Susan. 

It was at The Hill that Dale met his life partner and wife Thersea Lynn Tiller. 

Their union was sealed as Dale taught her how to play piano and they began to make music together both on and off the stage. 

With this new union, Dale became a father to Jon Anthony and William Brian. From the get go, Dale shared his passions with his children both music and sports were a part of our household. 

Dole’s love of athletics pushed him back into school and coaching. He was a graduate assistant coach at Mississippi college for a year followed by graduate assistant at Jackson State University and a full time assistant coach at Jackson State under the late Paul Covington. Eventuality receiving a masters degree in Physical Education. Dale also taught and coached at the high school. Dale eventually took the roll as the Physical Education director at the State Hospital,

Overseeing both patients and employees. 

During these years, Dale’s love of music was not diminished. 

Dale wrote a Christian song book and along with Tia was a music minister for several years. 

Dale’s athleticism did not diminish either as he ran multiple marathons, Roller bladed competitively, and was ahead of his time in doing the Euro-step. He also built a music studio in his house, rode a Motorcycle, and welcomed new daughters in law and grandchildren into the family. 

Dale loved a good deal which eventually led him into Real estate. For 25 years, he invested in residential

Real estate in Hinds and Copiah County. 

Dale and Tara moved to Hazelhurst thinking he would retire, but Hazelhurst had other plans. Dale was coerced into being a board member of the Hazelhurst Chamber of Commerce. I remember being back for a visit and seeing how much he enjoyed the community. 

Dale was unique. He was persistent and once he decided on something, he usually did it.  He also did what he had to do. He worked out elaborate bartering systems with his children and exhibited exorbitant amounts of patience with his children and grandchild.