John Francis Gallagher

Retired District Judge John Francis Gallagher died Friday, December 22, 2006. Judge Gallagher was born on January 28, 1927 in Colorado Springs. He was the son of John and Madeline Connell Gallagher and the grandson of Colorado pioneers, J. Arthur and Mary Adela Connell. He is survived by his wife Elayne Lachtrup Gallagher and his five children, Ellen Warder Gallagher, Arthur Connell Gallagher, Margaretta Desmond Gallagher Archie, Christopher Leslie Goodwin, John Francis Gallagher III, a foster daughter, Tshering Pelden Hartman of Bhutan, and 11 grandchildren. Judge Gallagher is often recognized for his service as the Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Court. Through his leadership, the Juvenile court in the Fourth Judicial District was brought from an after-thought to a modern court. He was often mentioned as the father of the modern juvenile court system in this district and was known for his work advocating for children and families. John is a graduate of Phillips Academy, Andover, Yale University and Harvard Law School. After a private practice, he served as District Judge of the Fourth Judicial District of El Paso County for twenty-five years. Upon leaving the bench, Judge Gallagher practiced arbitration and mediation in Colorado Springs with retired Judges Joe Cannon and Donald Campbell. Judge Gallagher was on numerous boards and commissions, serving as President of the El Paso County Bar Association, President of the Juvenile Court Judges Association, President of the Colorado Bar Grievance Committee, President and long-term member of Work Out Limited, Board member of the Sachs Foundation, and President and long-term member of the Saturday Knights hiking group. Though law was his passion, John was also an avid hiker, skier and world traveler. A memorial service will be held at the First Congregational Church - United Church of Christ in Colorado Springs on January 5th at 11:00 a.m., with a reception following. It is requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, the Palmer Land Trust, or a child advocacy program.