Jim Gallagher

Jim was born on Thursday August 26, 1943 to James Don Gallagher and Pauline Cecilia (Bienek) Gallagher in San Antonio, Texas. After graduating from Highlands High School, Jim went on to attend classes at San Antonio College. Shortly after, he enlisted in the United States Army, went on to basic training and returned to San Antonio, Texas. He remained in the US Army until he was honorably discharged upon the death of his father.

While serving as a Military Police Officer at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, Jim met the love of his life Mary Kathleen Carrico. He would greet her each morning at the Quadrangle with a simple, “Good morning. You’re late ma’am.” (This continued to be a running joke throughout the years.) The couple married on September 7, 1967 and went on to have one child, Kellie Marie Gallagher.

Married life presented Jim with new opportunities at National Bank of Commerce. He worked his way up at NBC starting as a teller and transitioning to the loans department, moving to credit card and retail services and finally landing as Executive Vice President at the time of his retirement after 25 years in the banking industry.

Retirement didn’t stop at NBC for Jim. He shifted gears to his next venture of opening a tackle shop on Medina Lake. Original settlers of Medina Lake, his grandparents Elsie and James Nestor Gallagher purchased the land as their homestead and “Gallagher’s Place” came into existence. The property included the original homestead cabin, rental cabins and a restaurant that was run by Jim’s grandmother. The Gallagher’s were well-known around the lake for their clean cabins and Elsie’s lemon meringue pie.

It was a natural fit for Jim to build his dream on the same foundation where the restaurant once stood as this is the same property where he spent many weekends fishing off the dock with his father. On July 18, 1987 Jim’s Rebait Tackle Shop opened for business on the original site of Gallagher’s Place which had opened fifty years prior. Jim continued operating the business up until the time of his passing as it was truly rewarding for him to be able to share his fishing knowledge and stories with locals and visitors of Medina Lake.

Throughout his life, Jim was an avid golfer and fisherman. He enjoyed his weekly golf games with friends he had known for decades. Annual vacations included family and his golfing buddies staying at cabin #12 at Bastrop State Park to play eighteen holes every day for seven days straight. He thoroughly enjoyed passing on his passion of golf to his son-in-law Steve Ybarra and his grandson (and namesake who shares the same birthday) Steven James Ybarra. Jim shared his knowledge and expertise of fishing on to his family as well. His daughter Kellie and Steve took a profound interest in the tackle shop and continue to operate the business today as Jim would’ve wanted.

Jim was known to many as a true and loyal friend. Whenever someone needed something, he was always there to lend a helping hand. He was a man of great character and he would never compromise his integrity or sense of fairness. He would enjoy a good debate no matter the topic. While politics may have been off the table for most families, Jim and his daughter Kellie enjoyed the fun and often light-hearted banter in his final months. It certainly bonded them in a way most wouldn’t understand.

Jim was a loving husband, father and son. He lived life to the fullest in his seventy-nine years. He enjoyed the simple things and relished in the finer things life had to offer. After working a full day in the shop, he was known to walk down to the water each evening, sit in his favorite Adirondack chair with a glass of red wine in one hand and a cigar in the other while listening to his favorite music. He thoroughly enjoyed the peace and solitude at the lake and toasted each sunset with his wine.

Jim was preceded in death by his grandparents Elsie Dullnig Gallagher and James Nestor Gallagher, his parents Pauline Cecilia (Bienek) Gallagher and James Don Gallagher. He is survived by his wife of fifty-five years Mary Kathleen (Mary K.) Gallagher, his only child Kellie Marie Ybarra and her husband Steve Ybarra, his grandson and namesake Steven James Ybarra and his wife Katherine (Katie) Louise Ybarra.

The family would like to extend sincere gratitude to the doctors and nurses that cared for Jim, including Dr. Neil Parikh, Dr. Neil Newman and Dr. Josephine Taverna, Devan Bauer R.N., and Victoria Jordan R.N. Collectively, you encouraged Jim and assisted him with all his treatments and for that, we are forever grateful. To Jim’s daughter Kellie, you were his biggest supporter and loudest cheerleader. It wasn’t easy doing what you did to ensure your dad had the best doctors, top-notch care and support, but you stood by him and walked the journey with him and we know he will always be grateful and proud that you did what you did for him up until the end.

Jim’s arrangements have been finalized with Sunset Memorial Park and Funeral Home. Visitation will be held Friday January 6, 2023 from 6:00pm until 8:00pm. A rosary service will occur on Friday January 6, 2023 at 7:00pm. A Catholic funeral service will occur on Saturday January 7, 2023 at 11:00am followed by graveside military honors and committal service from 12:00pm to 12:30pm.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sunsetfuneralhomesa.com for the Gallagher family.