Thomas French Gallagher, 66, of Hilton Head Island, S.C. died at his home Tuesday, September 27, 2005.

Col. Gallagher will be interred at National Memorial Cemetery in Beaufort, S.C.

Col. Gallagher was born July 23, 1939, in Centralia, the only son of French and Maxine Gallagher. They moved to Olney in the early 1950's. Despite his parents he later moved to Hannibal, Mo. and his own Army career that took him around the world. He always considered Olney his hometown. Many Olneans (past and present) enjoyed his contributions to "Olney Memories" an on-line newsletter whose name defines its purpose and to keep up with Olney today, he subscribed to The Olney Daily Mail until the day he died.

Tom graduated from East Richland High School in 1957 and shortly thereafter, received a congressional appointment to United States Military Academy. The day after his graduation from West Point in June 1963, he married Rebecca Belle-Isle of Decatur, Ga., beginning a happy and loving partnership of 42 years.

Col. Gallagher served two tours in Vietnam earning the Bronze Star, a Legion of Merit, two Air Medals and the Combat Infantry Badge.

After his final retirement from National Defense University in 1999, he and his wife, Becky moved to Hilton Head Island, where he was an active member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church.

In addition to his wife, Becky, he is survived by their two children, Thomas Jr. of Hilton Head and Cheryl Lobb of Montgomery, Ala.