Rawlings D. 'Goose' Gallagher

Rawlings D. Goose Gallagher, 77, of Salem, peacefully slipped into the presence of his Lord on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 with his loving family by his side. He was born November 7, 1936 in Lynchburg and moved to the Baptist Childrens Home at age three, where he was raised. In 1961 he married Patsy Vest and together they had two wonderful sons. He retired from J.C.Penny district offices in Lexington, KY and Nashville, TN following thirty years of service, and was also retired with thirty years of faithful service from the United Sates Naval Reserve. Rawlings was preceded in death by his parents, Fred ODell Gallagher and Edith W. Gallagher, and a brother, Michael D. Gallagher. He is survived by his loving wife, Patsy; two sons, Jeffrey Thomas Gallagher and his wife Teresa, Robert Glenn Gallagher and his wife Marcy; four grandchildren, Blake, Brad, Corey and Kacey Gallagher; a great-granddaughter, Kimber Gallagher; three brothers, Jerry Gallagher and his wife Barbara, Gene Gallagher and his wife Judy, and Clayborne Compton; a sister, Sheila Carwile and her husband Windell, and many nieces and nephews. In the face of his own illness, he was a real trooper and caring person, giving many volunteer hours to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital Sixth Floor and Cardiac Rehab. He was past president of Mended Hearts, past president of the Salem Sports Foundation, past president of Hope Tree Alumni and a Gideon. He was a long time member of Salem Baptist Church, and loved his weekly Bible study. A Celebration of Rawlings life will be held at 1PM, Monday, February 17, 2014 at Salem Baptist Church. The Rev. Everett Kier will officiate. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8PM, Sunday at John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home, Salem. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Salem Baptist Church, 103 N. Broad St. Salem, VA 24153; Salem-Craig Gideons International, PO Box 1291 Salem, VA 24153, or to Mended Hearts of Roanoke, 5737 Thorn Rose Lane, Roanoke, VA 24012. An online guest book is available for family and friends by visiting www.johnmoakey.com.