John Ray Gallamore

John Ray Gallamore, 58, of Poplar Bluff died Wednesday, Nov 23, 2011 at his home.

John was born Jan. 22, 1953, and raised in Poplar Bluff. He attended Poplar Bluff Senior High School, graduating in 1971. He attended ITT Tech School in Louisville KY, and came back to Poplar Bluff and attended classes at Three Rivers College. He became a meat-cutter in 1972 and worked several years for Gowan's Foodliner and Town & Country Grocers.

John accepted the Lord as his personal savior when he was 10 years old, growing up in Collins Chapel General Baptist Church. After his marriage, he became an active member of Temple Baptist Church, serving for many years as a Deacon, a Trustee, and a teacher, and serving on many committees.

John was an avid sports enthusiast, and enjoyed football, basketball and baseball. He also enjoyed target shooting and was an avid reader.

On Feb 12, 1972, he married Kathy Wesley, his high-school sweetheart, in Poplar Bluff, who survives. Also surviving is one son, John Wesley Gallamore, and granddaughter, Makenna Marie Gallamore, his ""Punkin,"" and two special step-granddaughters, Mackenzie and Makaleigh.

Other survivors include a sister-in-law, Edith Harris & her husband, Larry, of St. Louis, a brother-in-law, Mike O'Neill, of Wappapello, Mo., and a brother, George Howell & wife, Alma of Poplar Bluff. Several aunts, cousins, nieces, and nephews also survive him.

His parents, John J. and Cora E. Shamblin Gallamore preceded him death.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel. The funeral service will at 11 a.m. Monday at Temple Baptist Church, 1832 Barron Rd., with Rev. Steve Patterson officiating. Burial will be in the City Cemetery at a later date.

The family requests memorials be made to Temple Baptist Church or to UCAN.