FORT WORTH – James Edward (Ed) Gallagher II, 78, son of James Edward Gallagher and Bennie Murray Gallagher died peacefully at home, in his sleep, on July 16, 2025. Rosary with Visitation: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Thursday, July 31, 2025 in Greenwood’s Live Oak Chapel, 3100 White Settlement Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76107. Funeral Mass: 2:00 p.m. Friday, August 1, 2025 at St. Patrick Cathedral, 1206 Throckmorton St., Fort Worth, TX 76102. Interment: Greenwood Memorial Park. Born and raised in Fort Worth, he enjoyed his early years probably doing a few things parents shouldn’t know but gathered a group of loyal and devoted friends. He had to leave his Eastern Hills Class of ’64 after his junior year when his father took the family to Korea for his job helping develop the country’s electric power system. Ed had a new graduating class of 50 (the “Chosun Few”) at Seoul American High School. However, he made friends fast and kept them through the years. Upon returning to Fort Worth, he reconnected with his high school friends and enrolled at Texas Wesleyan College with a government major, collecting more long-term friends and graduating in 1970. He claimed the most significant event in his life was his marriage to his best friend Eddye Skillern on October 2, 1970, at St. Patrick Cathedral. In 1976, they were blessed with their son, Terry Edward. Ed’s first career was advertising sales and creation for local newspapers. During that time, his editor asked if he and his wife (a journalism professor) would be the advisers for the paper’s Junior Achievement newspaper company. They accepted and worked with the high school students for the organization’s two years of operation. Some of those students continued into college with Eddye and remained in contact with the two. After several paper closures, Ed decided to put his college major into use and move into city government, landing at Benbrook in 1976. From a general staff position, he earned his way into becoming the head of city planning, working hard, attending seminars and classes and also became a Certified Floodplain Manager. A quiet man of many words, he was always willing to share his knowledge and spent hours mentoring younger colleagues. Ed had a part in virtually all of Benbrook’s massive and transformative development from 1976-2017, when he retired as Planning Manager. Described by many as a true gentleman, he was known for his thoughtfulness and wisdom. His friends and colleagues also recognized and appreciated his sense of humor, never knowing what to expect. He would sit quietly in a meeting, but one knew to watch for sideways glances or whispered quips. One friend said Ed’s love for his wife was obvious in his eyes, but that smile could make others wonder what he thought about them. As his hair and beard turned white, children started mistaking him for Santa Claus, and he always played along. During summer, he would tell children he was on vacation, but to “mind their moms” and visit him at the mall in November. Although medical issues prevented some retirement travel plans, he continued actively meeting with high school and college friends and staying in touch with those scattered around the country. He enjoyed lectures, seminars, and conversations about local and national history and current issues regarding Fort Worth, Tarrant County, and government in general. Ed was preceded in death by his parents; numerous aunts and uncles, and one cousin. He is survived by his wife, Eddye Skillern Gallagher; son, Terry Edward Gallagher; brother John Gallagher of Springdale, Arkansas; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. In lieu of flowers, you might consider gifts in Ed’s memory to Texas Wesleyan University, 1201 Wesleyan St., Fort Worth, TX 76105 or St. Patrick Cathedral, 1206 Throckmorton St., Fort Worth, TX 76102 GREENWOOD FUNERAL HOME Greenwood Funeral Homes – Cremation 3344 White Settlement Road, Fort Worth, TX 76107 817-336-0584 To send a flower arrangement in memory of James Edward (Ed) Gallagher, please click here to visit our sympathy store. To plant Memorial Trees in memory of James Edward (Ed) Gallagher, please click here to visit our sympathy store.

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