HAZLEHURST — A celebration of life for Dale Eugene Gallagher, who died suddenly Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018, while visiting family in Spokane, Wash., will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the Lake Hazel pavilion in Hazlehurst.

Mr. Gallagher was born in Natchez, the son of Henry Charles and Grace Gallagher.

Gallagher walked to the beat of his own drum. Tennis shoes went with everything, thorough and methodical was his way and words like patient, committed and innovative defined him. If you knew Dale, you knew Tara, as they were inseparable — a more faithful husband you couldn’t find. You wouldn’t think musician and athlete would go together but they did for Dale, whether he was coaching basketball or playing bass for Al Hurt.

Gallagher was a 1957 graduate of Natchez High School. He was an athlete and star quarterback. Education was important to Dale, who was an alumni of University of Mississippi and Jackson State University, receiving his masters in health and physical education.

He lived as husband, father, grandfather, coach, real estate investor and former board member of Hazlehurst Chamber of Commerce. He was also a member of Hazlehurst United Methodist Church.

Survivors include the love of his life for 43 years, Teresa “Tara” Gallagher; one daughter, Susan Gallagher of Jackson; three sons, Jon Ragland of Wesson, Brian Ragland of Madison, and Andrew Gallagher and wife, Shannon, of Maui, Hawaii; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and one brother, Charles Gallagher and wife, Gloria, and their three sons, Charles Gallagher and wife, Julie, Chris Gallagher and Greg Gallagher.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to CC Solid Rock Foundation, 114 Emerald Drive, Brandon, MS 39047.