Ronald Nelson Gallahan

Ronald Nelson Gallahan, 62, died May 26, 2012 at his home in Atlanta, GA after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. Ron was born April 22, 1950 in Richmond, VA. He was graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1977 with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications & Advertising. He is a 1968 alumnus of James Monroe High School where he played varsity football. He served in the US Navy during the Vietnam War as a member of Patrol Squadron Forty Four from 1968 to 1971. Ron had a long career specializing in direct marketing and advertising. His last position was Senior Financial Analyst for School Specialty, Inc. in Norcross, GA. For a number of years he ran his own company, Gallahan Communications, specializing in print advertising, creative and execution. During his career, he also held marketing and advertising positions with ABC School Supply, ASHRAE, Sara Lee Direct, AOPA, and The Washingtonian. Ron was a devoted family man and delighted in his children's accomplishments. Foremost among his passions and talents were genealogy, woodworking, and refurbishing antique furniture. He actively and extensively researched his Virginia family roots and enjoyed being a member of the Virginia Society of the Sons of the Revolution. Ron remained an avid college football and basketball fan following his favorite teams, Notre Dame and Georgetown. One of Ron's favorite quotations was from Newton D. Baker, "The mark of an educated man and the measure of an educated man is the extent to which he can withhold his judgment until he knows all the facts." He is survived by his beloved family, wife, Janet Lee Blair, son, Benjamin Mott Gallahan, and daughter Blakeney McCulloch Gallahan of Atlanta, GA; parents, Nelson "Huffy" and Betty W. Gallahan and sister Bette L. Gallahan of Fredericksburg, VA; brother John M. Gallahan and sister-in law Elizabeth L. Gallahan of Manakin-Sabot, VA; brother Eddy Gallahan and sister-in law Joan Gallahan of Ashburn, VA; seven nieces and nephews; and mother-in-law Jane McCulloch Blair. Ron was especially close to his father-in-law, Dr. Mott P. Blair III of Siler City, NC who passed away in February 2012. A graveside memorial service will be held at Lakewood Cemetery in Bowling Green, VA on Friday June 1 at 10:00am with Rev. Dr. Frances Taylor Gench officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Ron's memory to either Virginia Commonwealth University or the Virginia Historical Society.