Chester Paul Gallagher, age 91, died Monday, November 26, 2012 in Folsom, New Mexico.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, December 1, 2012 at Hass Funeral Home in Clayton, New Mexico with Eric Armstrong, pastor of the Des Moines Baptist Church, officiating. Private family burial followed on the Gallagher Ranch near Bueyeros. Services are under the direction of Hass Funeral Directors of Clayton.

Chester Paul Gallagher was born on June 19, 1921 in Taylor Springs, New Mexico to John Gallagher and Edith (Knight) Gallagher. A lifelong resident of the Bueyeros areas, Chester was raised on the family ranch on Ute Creek southeast of Gladstone, New Mexico. He attended DeHaven Country School, a one room school near his parents's home. He continued his education at Springer High School where he graduated in 1940. After graduation Chester returned to the family ranch where he continued operating it throughout his life. His dedication to the land and his livestock was evident to everyone who knew him. Her served the Ute Creek Soil and Water Conservation District for 35 years as a member and as the chairman of the board of directors. The challenge of managing a cattle ranch was one that Chester enjoyed. He gave careful consideration to his management techniques and had a reason for every decision that he made. He knew every head of livestock on his place and usually knew where they could be found at any particular time of day. He loved his ranch, it was his home and his way of life.
Anyone who took the time to travel down the miles of dirt road to visit Chester in the evening would be sure to find him chopping wood for his cook stove or sitting on his door step watching his cattle drink from the windmill in his front yard. He always had a jar full of homemade oatmeal cookies to share and would visit with you until the sun went down, which at Chester's house, was bed time since he lived without either electricity or indoor plumbing.
Chester was also very interested in the history of New Mexico and surrounding areas. He loved to hunt for arrowheads and other historical artifacts along the Ute Creek Canyon.
Chester was preceded in death by his mother Edith Gallagher on January 7, 1957, by his father John Gallagher on December 12, 1952 and by a brother; James Gallagher on October 5, 2001.

SURVIVORS:

Numerous Cousins, including; Penny Trainham and her husband Bruce of Folsom, New Mexico, Ray Hartley and his wife Doris of Roy, New Mexico and Konnie Rush and her husband Dale of Aledo, Texas.

MEMORIALS:
The family suggests that memorials be made to the Sacred Heart Church of Bueyeros, P. O. Box 37, Roy, New Mexico 87743