Charles Bernard Gallagher, age 83, of Walker Park Road, passed away peacefully in his sleep on the morning of Friday, January 26, 2024.
Charles Bernard Gallagher, was born December 23, 1940 to Rita Maire Kistner (Gallagher) and Raybourn Onzie Gallagher, in Newport, Kentucky. When Charles was 8 years old, his mother and father relocated to Knox County. His father found work in the deep mines, worked a family farm and also helped his grandmother operate a small general store. Ray met a pretty young lady on a trip to another local store, Charlie Pickard’s Grocery, and suggested that she give Charles a call, which she did. One date is all it took when Charles met the love of his life and life partner of 59 years, Sally Brown, and they both knew it was meant to be. After dating for only three weeks, Charles and Sally united in marriage on November 25, 1964, in Gate City, Virginia, taking their own witnesses, Charles’ sister, Eileen, and Sally’s dad, Eli, with them. To this union four children were born: Jackie, Steve, Theresa, and Andrew.
Charles was a loving husband and caring father. Providing well for his family was of utmost importance to him, and he often reminisced about his past with Sally and his children, sharing with them stories of his family’s struggles during his depression-era upbringing. In addition to his adoration for his own family, his deep love for his siblings stayed with Charles all of the days of his life.
Charles had an entrepreneurial spirit which explains his fulfilling and successful work history. Charles began his work life in accounting in London, then moved into construction where he remained involved with various companies for nearly 30 years. Charles worked for Boggs Construction, where he was in charge of their accounting operations. He next partnered with his former coworkers at Boggs and operated Unico Corporation, a commercial construction company, for many years, after which he partnered with Malcolm Martin to form United Construction Company. Charles continued to run the office, accounting and bid submission operations while Malcolm ran the construction sites. When the construction company was dissolved, Charles, along with his brother Joe, owned and operated C&J Trucking Company, a small coal hauling operation, where he acquired the CB handle of “Rambling Man,” or “Rambler,” that a lot of his friends still call him by today.
Charles was an expert hunter and fisherman and loved being in the outdoors, which is where he felt closest to God. Always an early riser, he enjoyed watching a fox or deer cross the bottom to water at the river or catching sight of a hawk perched on a branch or wire, waiting for mice to begin foraging in the early morning mists. He would always tell his family that they missed so much life while they were sleeping.
In the 1960’s and 1970’s, he owned and operated Guns and Ammo, which was a home-based business selling firearms and hunting supplies, including homemade arrows which Charles would dip and fletch in his workshop after hours and on the weekends. He was a member of the Knox County Bow Hunters Club making lifelong friendships, and he often took his sons on fishing trips. Several years ago, he and some of the guys took a moose hunting trip to Canada which he always enjoyed talking about.
Charles also enjoyed playing checkers, which he was very skilled at and would regularly beat members of the family. Just two weeks ago, he “smoked” both Theresa and Andrew in checkers, luring them in and trapping them, then jumping and taking multiple pieces at once. He became interested in cooking, often being prep-chef to Sally or creating recipes of his own. His Spanish rice, and beef and barley stew were family favorites, along with his delicious beef & deer jerky.
Charles is survived by his beloved wife, Sally; by his children, Jacqueline Elizabeth (Gallagher) Richardson (Cuy) of Georgetown; Steven Bernard Gallagher and girlfriend, Sharon Patterson, of Pineville; Theresa Ann Gallagher of Henderson, Nevada; and Andrew Wesley Gallagher of Barbourville. He is survived by one sister, Eileen Gallagher Sexton of Adolphus; by three brothers: James Dale Gallagher (Jeanetta) and Joseph Michael Gallagher (Golda Mae) of Barbourville, and Mark Stephen Gallagher (Rhonda) of Corbin. Charles also leaves behind two grandchildren: Julia Marie Goodin of Lexington and Alexander Raybourn Gallagher of Barbourville.
Surviving Charles also are many family members.
Nieces: Melissa Ray Gallagher and Joanna Marie Gallagher Carpenter (Michael), both of Barbourville; Beth Gallagher Pack (Clayton) of Phoenix, Arizona; Marcia Pennie of Lexington, and Kimberly Ruth Gallagher of Corbin.
Nephews: Michael Gallagher of Corbin: Robert Allen Gallagher (Beverly) of Heidrick; Anthony Powell (Tana) of Sylvania, Ohio; Christopher James Powell (Robin) of Elyria, Ohio; Michael Pennie, Jr. and Brian Pennie, both of Lexington.
The cousins left behind to mourn Charles are: Edward Sunberg (Barbara) of Hamiliton, Ohio; Richard Sunberg of Oxford, Ohio, and Darlene Sunberg Vereker (Bob) of Pendleton, South Carolina.
He also left behind two special great-nephews who helped him a lot in recent years, Logan McDonald and Ryan Owens, and he was also regularly visited by his great-niece, Josie Mills and great-nephew, Levi Carpenter, whom he always enjoyed seeing.
Preceding Charles in death were his mother and father, Rita and Raybourn Gallagher; two sisters, Mary Gallagher Pennie (Michael) and Maxine Powell; one brother, Raybourn Powell(Rosemary); his grandparents, Joseph Frank Kistner and Rosalia Theresa Kistner and DrucillaFultz Gallagher; his uncle Paul J. Gallagher (Geneva); his aunt, Anastachia Ison (Claude B., Jr.); his sister-in-law, Luella Sunberg (Edward Louis) and one brother-in-law, Larry Sexton.
The Gallagher family will receive friends at Hopper Funeral Home Tuesday, January 30, 2024 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM and Wednesday, January 31, 2024 from 11:00 AM until the funeral hour of 1:00 PM. Brother Brook Mills will officiate. Interment will follow the funeral service in the Mayhew Cemetery, Barbourville, Kentucky. Casket Bearers are Andrew Gallagher, Alexander “Alex” Gallagher, Robbie Gallagher, Guy Richardson, Logan McDonald, and Ryan Owens. Honorary Casket Bearers are Steven Bernard Gallagher, James Dale Gallagher, Joseph Michael Gallagher, Mark Stephen Gallagher, Leslie Brown, and Asberry Brown.
During the visitatons for Mr. Gallagher, there will be a Memory Box placed in the chapel. Please bring a note or card with your special remembrances of Charles for the Gallagher family.
The Hopper family, Victoria Hopper and Sally Hopper, and the staff of Hopper Funeral Home express sincere condolences to the family and friends of Charles Bernard Gallagher.
Hopper Funeral Home, Inc., established over 100 years ago, is in charge of servicing all arrangements for Charles Bernard Gallagher.
