James Ray Gallagher, 87, of Waterford, Mississippi, passed away peacefully on January 6, 2025, at home surrounded by his loving family.
Ray was born on February 17, 1937, at the Home Place in the Waterford area, the son of Ray Gallagher and Beulah Young Gallagher. He attended grade school in Waterford, graduated from Holly Springs High School in 1955, and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Mississippi State University in 1961.
In 1955, Ray joined the Army National Guard, serving honorably for four years. While attending Northwest Junior College in 1956, Ray met the love of his life, Tommie Nelson. Their romance blossomed, and they married on January 24, 1958, at the Methodist Church in Batesville, Mississippi. Together, they built a beautiful life filled with love, faith, and family. At the time of his passing, Ray and Tommie were just 18 days shy of celebrating their 67th wedding anniversary.
Ray worked in industrial engineering and retired as an environmentalist from the Mississippi State Health Department in 2004. He also served as a director on the North East Electric Power Association board for over 31 years, beginning in 1993, and held the position of board secretary for part of his tenure.
Ray loved his church and his community; he was an active member and lay leader of Waterford Methodist Church. He served as finance chairman, and recently enjoyed collaborating with the pianist to select hymns for each Sunday service. He poured his heart into the church family he cherished.
A man of many talents and interests, Ray discovered a passion for pen-making later in life and became affectionately known as “The Pen Man.” A self-taught artisan, he crafted pens from materials such as deer horn, olive wood, magnolia, corn cobs, and cotton stalks. Since 2017, he sold over 1,000 pens while gifting countless others to friends, family, and even politicians. Ray often credited the success of his pen-making endeavors to the Good Lord and the partnership of his lovely wife, Tommie, who inspected every pen with care.
Ray had a lifelong love of animals, particularly dogs, and had a gift for training bird dogs—a skill he learned from his father. A true outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting and fishing, setting out salt licks to attract deer and feeding the ducks at Wall Doxey State Park.
Ray’s greatest joy in life was his family, often reminding those around him, “Family is a treasure.” A true Southern gentleman, he embodied grace, kindness, and integrity in all that he did. As a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, he built a lasting legacy of love and faith that will continue to inspire and live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know him.
Remaining to cherish Ray’s memory are his beloved wife, Tommie Nelson Gallagher of Waterford, Mississippi; daughter, Gloria Jean Gallagher McGraw of Oxford, Mississippi; grandchildren, Elizabeth “Liza” Neergaard Bryson (Charles “Chuck”) of Collierville, Tennessee, Waynesen Piilani McGraw of Casselberry, Florida and Ian Lee Keakahumoku McGraw of Oxford, Mississippi; great-grandchildren, Charles “Tripp” Montgomery Bryson, III and Ella Christine Bryson; sister, Ruth Gallagher Ferguson of Coldwater, Mississippi; niece, Kellie Barton Samsel (Scott) of Byhalia, Mississippi; great-niece, Jorja Rhea Samsel; and great-nephew, John Jack Samsel.
Preceding him in death are his daughters, Susan Maurine Gallagher and Christy Neergaard Gallagher; parents, Ray Gallagher and Beulah Young Gallagher; and brother-in-law, Durene Ferguson.
Visitation will be held on January 9, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Holly Springs Funeral Home, with a funeral service officiated by Reverend Adam Hawks to follow at 1:00 p.m. Interment will be a private family burial.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Ray Gallagher’s memory to Waterford Methodist Church or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospi