Richard Charles "Dick" Gallagher, Sr.

Richard Charles “Dick” Gallagher, 95, of Columbia passed away on Saturday, January 13, 2024, at Agape House of Lexington. He was born in Buffalo, New York, on July 28, 1928, to Edwin H. Gallagher, Sr. and Lucy San George Gallagher. Dick was a graduate of Grover Cleveland High School, class of 1946 and the State University of New York at Buffalo, UB. He proudly served his country in the United States Army Reserves and retired as a Major and served in the South Carolina State Guard as a Lieutenant Colonel. Dick worked as a Manager for Western Electric in Buffalo, NY then was transferred to Nassau Recycling Center in Staten Island, NY for two years and finally arrived at Nassau Recycling Center in Swansea, SC in 1978. After retiring as a Manager from Nassau Recycling Center in 1989, Dick worked for H&R Block for over a decade as an Enrolled Agent tax preparer. He was a member of Our Lady of the Hills Catholic Church since 1978 and lead the ushers for many years. Dick lived a full and active life. He was a people person who enjoyed playing poker, bridge and pinochle with family and friends. He also liked gambling and traveling to casino's with Rose Ann. They often visited Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Biloxi, Tunica and Cherokee. One of his favorite vacations was when he and Rose Ann celebrated their 25th Wedding Anniversary traveling to Hawaii with Rick and Robin for three weeks. Many family summer vacations to Disney World and the yearly trip to Hilton Head were cherished. Dick and Rose Ann celebrated New Years Eve for many years at the Connecticut Street Armory Ball in Buffalo, NY and continued the tradition for many years with family and friends at Fort Jackson Officer's Club in Columbia, SC. Dick was a Buffalo Bills and University of South Carolina Women's Basketball fan and took pleasure in their success. Survivors include his son, Richard C. “Rick” Gallagher, Jr., of Summerville; his daughter, Robin Ann Lesher (Kevin), of Columbia; his daughter Karen Clemens (Mark); his sister, Betty Seabury (Dan); his brother, David Gallagher and sister-in-law, Gina Gallagher. Dick is also survived by his grandchildren, Drake Lesher and Casey Bohn (Jarrett), Lucy and Collin Clemens and his companion, Bette S. McKenney. He leaves behind the beloved family dog, Kimmey, as well. Dick was predeceased by his wife, Rose Ann, to whom he was married for 65 years, until her passing in 2015. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Bert; George; and Edwin, and his sisters, Gloria and Shirley. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of the Hills Catholic Church on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at 10 a.m. Burial with military honors will be held at Fort Jackson National Cemetery at 2:00 p.m.. There will be a rosary and visitation on Monday, January 22, 2024, from 3:00 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. at Temples-Halloran Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that you consider a donation to the Humane Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (121 Humane Lane, Columbia, SC 29209 or https://humanesc.org/donate/)