James Richard Galligan

James Richard Galligan, of Mission, Kansas, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at the age of 92.

Jim was born in Buffalo, New York, on August 5, 1932, to James A. and Mabel (Tice) Galligan. Jim graduated from Lafayette High School and enlisted in the Navy. He was stationed in Panama and was an integral member of the Navy’s winning bowling team.

After Jim was honorably discharged, he began his career at Canadian National Grand Trunk Railroad, where he worked for nearly 40 years, mostly as an account sales representative. Jim’s career took him from Buffalo to Cleveland, Ohio, to his final home of 51 years in Mission, Kansas. Jim retired early from the railroad and spent the last 5 years of his career with Alliance Shippers.

Jim’s greatest passion, besides his family, was bowling. Jim started bowling as a young teenager and continued well into his 80’s. Jim bowled many 300 games and 800+ series, as evident by his wall of plaques and closet-full of trophies. His greatest accomplishment was receiving the Wyandotte-Johnson County Bowler of the Year award in 2000. Jim was also a lover of old western movies which made a lasting impression on his children. If Jim wasn’t watching a western, he was sure to be watching or listening to a baseball, football or basketball game. He was an avid KC Royals, Buffalo Bills, and Kansas Jayhawk fan. Jim took great pride in his family. Jim married in Buffalo at a young age, and had two beautiful girls, before meeting the true love of his life, Patricia (Pat), in Cleveland and marrying in 1966. Jim and Pat shared two more beautiful girls. When they moved to Kansas in 1974, they established themselves in the Mission community and have been members of the St. Pius X Parrish for 51 years. Jim was truly the most loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Joanie, Joyce, and June, and brother Joe. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Patricia; sisters, Jeannie Knutsen (Arnold), and Julie Bloch; children Terri (Jim) McHenry, Margie (Harry) Granzow, Kris White, and Norine (Paul) Culotta; grandchildren, Kc Jackson, Shannon Jackson, Zach (April) Granzow, Katie (Chris Davita) Granzow, Josh (Alicia) Granzow, Jaymie (Joel) Brice, and Alex Culotta; and great-grandchildren, Garrett, Gavin, Cameron, Wyatt, Liam, Joey, Jack, Jay and Poppy, and many wonderful nephews, nieces and cousins.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 6 at St. Pius X Church, 5500 Woodson, Mission, Kansas. Visitation starts at 9:30, with mass to follow at 10:30am. A rosary will precede the mass. A gathering will be held at the church immediately after the funeral mass. All are invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests people wishing to honor Jim’s memory to make donations directly to St. Pius X church.https://www.spxmission.org/donate