Francis E. 'Butch' Gallagher, 78

Francis E. "Butch" Gallagher, 78, passed away Friday, July 27, 2007, at the Valley View Nursing Home in Glasgow. Francis was born March 20, 1929, in Glasgow, the son of Edward and Hazel (Moore) Gallagher. He was raised and attended schools in Glasgow, graduating from Glasgow High School in 1947.

His parents owned the City Market, where he worked after school and during the summers. He then graduated from the University of Montana in Missoula in 1952 with a juris doctorate and was commissioned as a second lieutenant of the U.S. Air Force, where he served for two years. In 1959, he resigned from the Air Force Reserve as a captain.

Francis began his practice of law in 1954 and was a partner of (the late) Judge Thomas Dignan until 1961, when Dignan became district judge. He has been a partner with Matthew Knierim, Gerald Archambeault, and Laura Christoffersen. His professional organizations included the American Bar Association, the American Judicative Society, the Montana Trial Lawyers Association and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America.

In 1957, Francis married Bernadine Donahue of Flaxton, N.D. They have three children, Gerianne, Barbara and John.

A lifelong member of St. Raphael's Church, he has been a religious education teacher, Knights of Columbus, Parish Council president, a member of the Diocesan Parish Council and Conciliation Panel, and Eucharistic minister.

Francis served as past director and vice president of the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, Sunnyside Golf and Country Club director, director of First Security Bank and the Bancorporation of Montana and Trust Corporation of Montana. In 1999, he retired as a director of the Great Falls Davidson Trust Company. In 1978, Francis was presented the President's Award of the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce for devoted service to his community.

Francis was very active in the Republican Party on the precinct level, and the county and state organizations. He was a member of Luke's 100.

Francis retired from the firm of Gallagher and Archambeault in January 2000.

Survivors include his wife, Bernadine Gallagher, of Glasgow; a son, John and Maya Gallagher, of Midland, Mich.; daughters, Gerianne and Rick Eckelberry of Kalispell, and Barbara and Garth Schuschke of Kalispell; a sister, Kathleen Shurtliff, of Omaha, Neb.; seven grandchildren, Theresa Crase, Catherine Hopstad, Anne Schuschke, Sam Schuschke, Ethan Gallagher, Carina Gallagher and Cara Gallagher; great-grandchildren, Delilah Crase and Johnathan Hopstad; and many nieces and nephews.

Francis was preceded in death by his brothers, George and Don; and a sister, Mae.

Services have taken place.