Chon Gallegos

1939 - 2023

Chon, aka S.H., Dad, Bompa, Papa, came to San Jose from Carthage, New Mexico in 1941 with all his siblings (Mary, Larry, Manuel, Jenny, Tencha, Emma), mother Margarita Palacios, father Jose Peralta Gallegos. His father brought his family to San Jose to find work. He got a job at the Swickert Ranch where the family lived until moving to Garden Ave. He was a 1958 graduate of James Lick High School where he lettered in baseball, basketball and football. He was blessed with exceptional hand/eye coordination. At SJSU in 1961, Chon led the NCAA with 14 passing touchdowns and won the Pop Warner Award which went to the best senior on the West Coast. He was recruited by the Oakland Raiders, played one season, where he threw two touchdowns and 298 yards over 6 games. He went into coaching at James Lick and Santa Teresa High School. During his coaching career, he mentored future NFL quarterbacks Jim Plunkett, Rich Campbell, and Craig Whelihan. Chon took up golf after college and carried a one digit handicap for many years. He had 5 holes in one and in 2011, was The Villages Club Champion. He leaves behind his sister, Emma, as well as his two daughters, Denise and Jackie and his grandchildren, Ashley, Spencer, P.J., Adam and Amelia, his great granddaughter. He also leaves his loving wife, Laurie, and her children, Tiffany Starkey, Dina Sargis, and their children, Andrea, Reed, Morgan, Erik and Julia. The funeral will be held February 25 at 2:00pm at St. Francis of Assisi on San Felipe Rd. In lieu of flowers, donations to Alzheimer's or the Diabetes Foundation would be appreciated.