Tomas Isabel Gallardo

Lyrics for “Taps” written during the Civil War: Day is done... gone the sun... From the lakes... from the hills... from the skies... All is well... Safely rest... God is nigh... Fading light... Dims the sight... And a star... Gems the sky... Gleaming bright... From afar... drawing nigh... falls the night... Thanks and praise... For our days... Neath the sun... Neath the stars... Neath the sky... As we go... this we know... God is nigh...(Semper Fi, Marine) Tomas I. Gallardo passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on July 6, 2014. He was born in 1932 in Brownsville, Texas, to Santos and Jose Gallardo, the oldest of their four children. He was preceded in death in 2012 by his spouse of 57 years, Shirley Hansen Gallardo. He is survived by their four children, Michael Gallardo of San Francisco, Joe Gallardo of Redlands, California, Kathy (Tom) Keenan of Catlin, Illinois, and Greg (Mimi) Gallardo of Pensacola, Florida; six grandchildren, Alexia Gallardo, Derek Gallardo, Matt Gallardo, Zach Gallardo, David Keenan and John Keenan; and two step grandchildren, Alex and Bryan. He is also survived by three siblings, Frank (Tencha) Gallardo, Teresa Gallardo and Eleuterio Gallardo; and multiple nieces, nephews and extended family. He went to work at age 11 to support his family at the Piggly Wiggly and later at the Ford Agency. He then joined the Marines at 18. He served three tours of duty: Korea, 1950; Da Nang, Vietnam, 1964-65; and Dong Hoh, Vietnam in 1968. He had a plumb assignment in San Francisco at 13th R & R District when he met and married Shirley in 1955. He served at various duty stations stateside. He served his country for 20 years and retired as a gunnery sergeant in 1970 and took up residence in Yreka. With the planned construction of Interstate 5 through Yreka, he built the Cove Mobile Villa (CMV) with his wife and her parents, Cap and Josie Hansen. He worked for the Siskiyou County Welfare Department for three years, after which he earned an associate’s degree in business from College of the Siskiyous in 1975. He was a “plank owner,” i.e. charter member, of the SYFD, to which he gave 30 years of service. He achieved the 25 gallon mark with the American Red Cross, meaning he gave over 200 units of blood. According to the ARC, three people benefit from each unit of blood. He completely retired in 1997 when he and Shirley sold the CVM. A funeral mass will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on Friday, July 11, 2014, at 1300 hours for you Marines out there and 1 p.m. for everyone else. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to St. Joseph’s, 314 4th Street, Yreka CA 96097. A special thanks to Tia Terrie for her fervent efficacious vigil for Divine Mercy. A Prayer for Dad to his Guardian Angel: "Angel of God, my guardian dear, To whom His love commits me here: Ever this day be at my side, To light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen. An Act of Love Jesus, Mary, I love you, Save Souls!"

Tomas Isabel Gallardo

March 7, 1932 - July 6, 2014