George Ray Gallagher passed away peacefully at Richland Life Care Center on January 11, 2005 after a long and courageous battle with the after effects of glioblastoma multiforme.

George was born to Clarence and Emma Gallagher on January 6, 1928, in Stroud, OK. While still an infant they moved to Gridley, KS. After graduation from Gridley High School in 1946, George joined the U.S. Air Force. He was honorably discharged in 1949 with the rank of Sergeant.

He enrolled at Kansas State College at Emporia earning a degree in Physics in 1953. He ''walked on'' and played football there for three years. George also earned a Masters degree in Nuclear Physics in 1955, from Kansas State at Manhattan, KS. In 1955 he was hired as a Tech Grad for GE at Hanford. In 1959 he went to work for the AEC. George retired from DOE in January 1987.

George and Betty enjoyed spending time at the cabin they built at Priest Lake, IL and having family and friends join them. He liked cruising, most often with Judy and ''her group,'' and found Hawaii to be very special. Their duplicate bridge group enjoyed dinners, trips to Wallowa in OR, a weekend retreat up to the cabin, a cruise, as well as bridge. It was no secret he wasn't fond of bridge, but truly liked the camaraderie of our group of friends. In his younger days he hunted birds and enjoyed fishing trips to the Tucannon River. George, Betty and family also enjoyed their clamming, fishing and camping trips. Weekly snow skiing kept the family busy in the winter along with basketball. They were Kamiakin Gold Card members for years and rarely missed any football or basketball games.

George and Betty were married at Richland Lutheran Church Dec. 14, 1957. Susan Kay was born in1959 and Thomas Ray completed their family in 1961. He was a loving father who rarely missed an event in which Susan and Tom participated. George loved the outdoors and took very good care of himself by running and working out He coached his son, Tom, for seven years of Little League, Pony and Colt baseball while Susan kept the official score for the League and mom chaired the money raising events.

George is a member of First Lutheran Church of Kennewick. George leaves his wife Betty, daughter Susan and Mike Pfeifer of Redmond, WA, son Tom and Rena Gallagher of Spokane, WA, four grandchildren, Gage and Regin Gallagher, and Kellie and Ryan Pfeifer, sisters Dorothy Nastav, Arlington Heights, IL and Betty Vannocker Ted, Nampa, IL.

Memorial services will be held at Kennewick First Lutheran Friday, Jan. 14 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Bob Anderson officiating. A reception will follow. Come and help us celebrate his life.

Memorials may be made to First Lutheran or the American Cancer Society in lieu of flowers.