Luke Gallagher - 1998

Luke Gallagher - 2005

Attended Coleman High School Freshman through Senior years, graduating in 1998.

Coleman High School honors: National Honor Society - Junior and Senior; Student Council; Football - Freshman, Junior and Senior; Track - Freshman, Sophomore and Junior.

Luke Evan Gallagher, 26, of Jasper, Alamaba died Thursday, November 10, 2005 at his residence.  Luke graduated from Coleman High School in 1998 and was attending the University of Alabama at Birmingham at the time of his passing.

He is survived by his fiance, Layla Vernier; father, John Gallagher and his wife, Beverly, of Curry, Alabama; mother, Debra Grant of Louisa, Virginia; grandmothers, Dorothy Gallagher of Midland, Texas and Ina Dillard of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; brothers, Cpl. Joshua Gallagher of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Isaac Gallagher and Matthew Gallagher, both of Curry, Alabama; sister, Amee Gallagher of Curry, Alabama; stepbrothers, Joshua Smith and Jeremy Smith; and a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins.

The family requests memorial donations be made to the Luke Gallagher Scholarship Fund at Coleman County State Bank, P. O. Box 940, Coleman, Texas 76834.

Luke Evan Gallagher, a 1998 graduate of Coleman High School, passed away on November 10, 2005 at his home in Jasper, Alabama.  Luke’s family has since established a scholarship to be awarded to one graduating senior at Coleman High School.  Donations to the scholarship fund are currently being accepted at Coleman County State Bank.  Those interested in making a donation to Luke’s scholarship fund may visit Coleman County State Bank, or mail a donation to Luke Gallagher Memorial Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 940, Coleman, Texas 76834.  A guestbook has been set up for Luke’s friends, classmates, and family to post messages.

At 26 years of age, Luke had already enjoyed much success in school, in his personal life, and in his hobbies.  He could be characterized as a great student and good friend by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.  Luke’s passion was power-lifting and bodybuilding.  Between 1994 and late 2005, Luke excelled in countless weight lifting and bodybuilding competitions, including first-place victories ranging from the Coleman Fiesta De La Paloma Weight Lift Meet in 1994 and 1995 to statewide (and larger) competitions in, and around, Alabama in recent years.  To list a few, Luke won first place in the 1999 Southern States Bench Press Championship, first place in the 2000 Golds Halloween Bench/Deadlift Meet, first place in the 2005 Iron Man Power Lifting/Bench Press Meet, and first place in the 2005 APF/ AAFP Alabama Open Power-Lifting Bench Press Meet.  In addition to these honors, Luke won first, second, and third place victories in numerous other weight-lifting related competitions.  He also recently competed in the Alabama State Bodybuilding Championship, and had set a personal goal to become the next “Mr. Alabama.”

Luke shared his success with his many friends, as he trained other aspiring athletes in the art of bodybuilding and power-lifting.  Beyond his athletic endeavors, Luke was an avid hunter and outdoorsman, with a particular interest in firearms.  He was employed part-time at the Sportsman Center, working with his dad John, while attending the University of Alabama and pursuing a body-building career.  In addition to becoming a professional bodybuilder, Luke also hoped to become a certified personal trainer.

While attending Bevil State Community College, Luke earned several academic honors, such as a 1999/2000 Academic Excellence Award, and was named a Bevil State Community College All American Scholar.  Having finished his studies at the University of Alabama just prior to his passing, the school presented Luke’s UAB diploma to his parents on December 17, 2005.

The gym in Jasper, Alabama in which Luke trained has recently honored his memory by establishing a weight-lifting competition called the “Luke Gallagher Classic Bench Press and Weight Lift Meet.”  The competition will be held each year from now on, and proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.  The gym also hung a large plaque dedicated to Luke’s memory.  Luke was engaged to Layla Vernier of Jasper, Alabama, and the two were planning a wedding.  Layla and Luke had been together for five years.  He is survived by his fiancé Layla, his parents Debrah Grant of Louisa, Virginia, and John and Beverly Gallagher of Jasper, Alabama, his brothers Corp. Joshua E. Gallagher, presently of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Isaac and Matthew Gallagher and sister Amee Gallagher of Jasper, Alabama, and stepbrothers Jeremy and Joshua Smith, formerly of Coleman.

Luke appreciated the importance of education, and took pride in the hard work involved in paying for college.  His family wishes to award this scholarship to someone who is equally serious about receiving a college education, and to someone who genuinely needs financial assistance.  The recipient shall also be someone who shares in Luke’s passion for athletics, and who will work hard to succeed, despite any obstacles.  Those wishing to apply for the scholarship should be prepared to write an essay about themselves, their achievements, future plans and goals, and what this scholarship means to them.

"Luke was the most wonderful man I had ever met.  I love him so dearly.  He was always telling me that he loved me, I was beautiful, your perfect, etc.  He never would let me leave the house in the mornings without me kissing him and saying that I loved him.  When I would get off work and check my messages on my cell he would leave me little messages throughout the day.  It got to the point when I could not wait to get my messages.  We lived off of love!!  When I first me him, I was engaged.  At that point, I knew I was with the wrong person.  I would dream about he and I being together.  God's plan was for us to be together.  He told me several times that he did not know why he came to Alabama because he had a good life in Texas, but he felt that God brought him there because I was here waiting for him.  He made me so happy.  Everyday was a special day with him.  We learned so much from each other.  He taught me how to love.  I taught him how to budget money.  I taught him how to be honest.  He taught me that spending time with each other was important to build a beautiful relationship.  We were best friends.  Sometimes we would stay up hours of the night talking in bed about how special our relationship was.  I would sometimes look at him and get chills because I was so proud, in love, and happy.  He was my companion.  We were going to marry.  We spoke about it all the time.  He told me that he knew exactly how he was going to ask me.  I do not know why he felt he needed to ask, he knew the answer.  In Alabama we were known as "Luke and Layla."  One of my friends called us Barbie and Ken.  Now that I think about it, that is true because we had a fairytale love that most people want and never recieve.  We had it.  Thank you lord for blessing us with that.  Due to our love, I believe that I am strong enough to live here on Earth until it is my time to go home to see my baby, Luke.  I miss him and love him so much."  (Layla Vernier/Gallagher, blvernier@aol.com, Jasper, Alabama, December 8, 2005, mywesttexas-guestbook.)

Luke Gallagher - 2005 with fiancee, Layla Vernier

"Luke and I attended Coleman High together.  I have alot of good memories with Luke.  We used to go hunting together.  I can remember very well his passion and love for the outdoors.  I haven't seen Luke since high school.  Actually the last time Luke and I went hunting together he left his hunting jacket in my pickup.  After my sister Michelle called and gave me the news about Luke I wore that jacket on my next hunt (got a turkey, maybe Luke would have been proud).  If any family member would like this jacket email me and I will try to get it to you.  God bless." (Michael Brinkley, Austin, Texas, January 27, 2006, mywesttexas-guestbook.)

"Luke was my step brother for about 15 years. I grew up with him, and have known him most of my life.  Our parents divorced when I graduated High School from Coleman in 1999, but we was and is still my brother.  I never considered him as anything else, even know by law we are no longer related.  Luke was always a big brother to me, and always looked out for me.  He cared about his friends and family like they were all brothers.  We will all miss Luke, and he can never be replaced.  I will always have him in my heart and memories, and I thank God for that every day."  (Jeremy Smith, Dallas, Texas, January 29, 2006, mywesttexas-guestbook.)

"My name is Tonja Gallagher Matthis. I am the aunt of Josh and Luke Gallagher.  Josh returned safely from Iraq in September of 2005.  Unfortunately, Luke passed away unexpectedly in Alabama on November 10, 2005.  He had been living near his father and younger siblings in Jasper, Alabama since he finished high school.  He had been working and attending the University of Alabama at Birmingham.  He was about to graduate from UAB.  I would appreciate if you could pass on the website below to the anyone that you can, especially the faculty at Coleman High School where both Luke and Josh graduated.  I would appreciate if anyone in Coleman could visit Luke's Guest Book on the site below.  They can read what other people have written and perhaps write their remembrance. I think this would help comfort his family.  Thank you."
(Tonja Matthis, January 23, 2006.)