Christopher Scott Gailfoil, 43, of Panama City, Fla., died peacefully in his home Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2007, after a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born June 13, 1964, in Middleboro, Mass., and had called Panama City home since 1967. He was a 1982 graduate of Bay High School. Chris spent 21 years in Atlanta as a professional drummer, musician and studio engineer.

He played in the following bands: The Kopps, Blitz, Van Gogh, The Tommy Knockers, Roadside Prophets and Fragile X. He was a manager for the band Hallow's Eve.

He returned to Panama City in 2005 to be with his family and continued to perform as a musician through the music program at Holy Nativity Episcopal Church. In 2007, Chris was a guest at two Rock-N-Roll Fantasy Camps. Through this, Chris performed in sold-out shows at B.B. King's in New York City and The House of Blues in Las Vegas with legendary musicians and artists who had served as inspirations to his music all his life. His outgoing spirit, love of life and music touched many lives.

He is survived by his parents, Anne Daffin and Carl Harris of Panama City and Robert and Fran Gailfoil of Okeechobee, Fla.; grandmother, Dorothy Daffin Randall and husband, William S.; two brothers, Michael Gailfoil and wife, Deana, and Shawn J. Harris, all of Panama City; four sisters, Leighanne Newberry Vasquez and husband, Javier, of Bonita Springs, Fla., Robin Wilkerson and husband Bryan, Carrie Gailfoil, all of Gainesville, Fla., and Karrie Garrett and husband, Bob, of Southport, Fla.; nephews, Chad Gailfoil, Logan Wilkerson and Nick Devita; and nieces, Kristen Gailfoil, Kimberly Gailfoil, Jennifer Gailfoil and Caeli Wilkerson.

The family will receive friends at Wilson Funeral Home from 6 to 8 p.m. today, Nov. 30, 2007, and from noon to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, 2007, prior to services in Battin Hall at Holy Nativity Episcopal Church. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Holy Nativity Episcopal Church with the Rev. Steve Bates and the Rev. William Bell officiating.

Interment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers are Sam Richardson, David Burris, Rick Stuart, Marc Bailey, George Maris, David Ross, Leonard Johns and Jim Wilkinson. Members of the Panama City Beach Police Department will serve as honorary pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, if so desired, contributions can be made to Hospice of the Emerald Coast, Holy Nativity Episcopal School or to the music department at Holy Nativity Episcopal Church in memory of Chris Gailfoil.

Wilson Funeral Home
Family Owned Since 1911
Panama City, Fla.
785-5272 214 Airport Road

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Panama City News Herald on Nov. 30, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Christopher Gailfoil

Sponsored by Everyone who loves Chris. That's a lot of people!.

10 Entries

Jeff Hall

November 25, 2019

Miss you more than words can say my brother. Music has and never will be the same without you. I thank God for the time I did have with you.

Bryce Hahs

July 8, 2017

Miss you Chris

Leighanne Newberry Vasquez

December 7, 2007

Chris was such an extrodinary person. He made everyone feel special. To me he was a best friend and an awesome big brother. He spent his life doing what he could to help others, and when his body could no longer let him continue watching over others, he went somewhere he could. I love him dearly and will miss him every day.

Ronnie Kimball

December 3, 2007

I'm so sad for your loss. I got to meet and talk with Chris at Lucille Newberry's (my Grandmother) house on the back porch after her funeral.
I was impressed with his genuine personality and easy-going nature.
I wish I could've gotten to know him better.
God Bless and watch over his spirit.
Ronnie Kimball (Janice Newberry/Williams' son & Leighanne's cousin)

Kathy McCrerey

December 1, 2007

To Michael and his family.
My deepest sympathy go out to your entire family.
Kathy Mccrerey (the old ER nurse)

Roadside Prophets Version 3.0 Chris, Bryce, Jenice, Pete, Jeff August 1996. This lineup played the 1996 Olympic Games at the Samsung World Expo Stage.

November 30, 2007

The Roadside Prophets Version 2.0 Fall 1995 Chris, Jeff, Pete, Jenice, Doug

Jeff Hall

November 30, 2007

We are maintaing this guest book for Chris and his family. I posted a couple of photos in the album that I found today. There are quite a few more around here. As I find them, I will post some and also make copies for anyone who would like one.

Chris and I were in three bands together Roadside Prophets (In various lineups), Killer Katfish, and Fragile X. There are a lot of recordings, pictures, and other stuff that are left behind from that period. Needless to say, everyone who ever played with Chris was a friend and a fan. He was the greatest.

pam and jim ogborn

November 30, 2007

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Jeff Hall

November 30, 2007

To The Gailfoil Family and Chris,

We loved Chris so much. He was a best friend and a vital part of our lives and bands for many years. He was an oustanding drummer and an even more outstanding person. We used to call Chris "Thumper" because he was always laying down a thump that no matter how chaotic the music became, we could always hear that driving beat. That would always bring us back home and back together. We really loved Chris like a brother and we will miss him like one too. Things just won't be the same. Tommy commented on Chris' my space page that our Fragile X version of "Draggin The Line" (with Chris on lead vocals) really exemplifies Chris. I listened to it again this morning and it made me cry. It really does say a lot. About how great a musician Chris was and also about how beautiful a guy he really is.

We love you Chris.

Jeff and Arian Hall, Bryce and Terry Hahs, Lauren Hahs

Tommy Stewart

November 30, 2007

Chris' big heart lives through his many friends.

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