Gene O'Callaghan

1940 - 2023

Edward Eugene "Gene" O'Callaghan cut a wide path and lived large, independently and with the gusto of a hound dog for 83 years. His earthly pilgrimage ended when his tired, worn out, used and abused body ceased to put up with the things of the world and the colorful Irishman made it to the pearly gates an hour before the devil knew he was dead. Gene had been visiting his son, Malcolm, in the Foley, Alabama area when stricken ill and he transformed to the "big house" from the South Baldwin Regional Medical Center in Foley on May 21, 2023. Born into a splendid family on May 7, 1940, Gene was the son of the late E.E. "Ed" O'Callaghan and Nell Critz O'Callaghan. He attended Tupelo High School graduating in 1958. He later attended ICC and Miss. State at the insistence of his Mom, Nell, whose family were prominent Oktibbeha Countians (the old Critz Hall at MSU is named for ancestors). Gene, always being his own individual and a patriotic American, joined the U. S. Air Force and served until getting an honorable medical discharge. He spent over 30 years as a purveyor of distilled spirits at Rebel Package Store in Tupelo. A first-rate character, Gene enjoyed storytelling, being with family and friends and pontificating whether he knew what he was talking about or not, drinking coffee with his friends at St. Luke UMC, listening to music and picking at whomever would stop long enough to allow his mischievous personality to shine through. A deeply spiritual man, Gene was a faithful member of St. Luke United Methodist Church where he sang in the choir. He was an avid reader, an impeccable dancer often known as "Gene-Gene-the dancing machine," and member of American Legion Post 49 and Honorary Post 99 in Foley. Gene will be missed by family and a strong legion of friends who joyfully and with wonderful memories endured him for a lifetime.

A Service of Death and Resurrection will take place at 3 PM Thursday, May 25, 2023 at St. Luke United Methodist Church with his pastor, Rev. Rob Gill, officiating. Burial will follow in Tupelo Memorial Park, with Air Force honors. Visitation will be from 1 PM-service time on Thursday only at St. Luke UMC. The service will be live-streamed at 3 PM on the St. Luke UMC Tupelo Facebook page located at https://www.facebook.com/stluketupelo. Holland Funeral Directors is honored to serve the family.

Gene is survived by his son, Malcolm O'Callaghan and wife, Amy of Baldwin County, AL; and granddaughter, Nikki O'Callaghan of Fredericksburg, VA; his sister, Beth Pate (Richard); his brother, Pat O'Callaghan; and numerous nieces, nephews, loved ones and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Frank O'Callaghan, and other beloved family members.