Leonard Stephen Gallagher

Leonard Stephen Gallagher, 88 of Hillsboro, Missouri. Passed away on December 25th, 2021 at Mercy Jefferson Hospital, Festus, Missouri. Born July 22^nd, 1933 in Crocker, Missouri to his late parents Stephen and Grace (nee Boulware) Gallagher. He worked as a Tool and Die Machinist for Atlas/Soundolier Inc. and American Can Company. Leonard was known as Coach Gallagher to hundreds of athletes spanning decades of coaching boys baseball and basketball. He was extremely active with the Little League organization; he volunteered for 47 years in various roles, not only in the Hillsboro community but throughout the state where he traveled to help set up Little League in other towns.

In his role as Coach, he made a profound impact on the athletes, schools, and communities in many ways – as he did with his decades of umpiring Little League and high school games across the state. Some characteristics of a great Coach is respect, honor, integrity, and dedication. Coach Gallagher had all those traits, as well as being fair, knowledgeable, kind, and liked to have fun and for the athletes to have fun too. Not only was he all of those things as a Coach, he also exuded those qualities in his roles as a son, brother, husband, dad, grandpa, great-grandpa, uncle, brother-in-law, and coworker.

He is survived by:

Wife: Deloris (nee Singleton) Gallagher

Daughter: Sharon Nichols of Hillsboro, Missouri

Son: David (Sheila) Smith of Festus, Missouri

Son: Roger (Fawn) Smith of Festus, Missouri

Son: John (Theresa) Gallagher of Festus, Missouri

Grandchildren: Stephanie Nichols, Stephen (Angie) Nichols, Jessica (Kyle) Jahns, Kurt Smith, Amanda Smith, Micaela (David) Brauch, and Anthony (Cassie) Smreker

Great Grandchildren: Ava, Mateo, Lena, and Jonah

In addition to his Missouri family, is survived by his Ohio family, several nieces, and nephews and is greatly loved.

Preceded in death by:

Parents: Stephen and Grace (nee Boulware) Gallagher

Sister: Edna Smith

In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17 Chicago, IL 60601