James "Jim" Gallagher

James L. “Jim” Gallagher, M.D., passed away surrounded by family on Monday, November 2, 2026, at age 76 from complications of Parkinson's disease. A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Jim was also a steadfast mental health advocate through his practice of psychiatry for over 45 years. A visitation will be held at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home & Crematory (8201 Hickman Road, Urbandale) on November 11, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. A memorial service at Sacred Heart Catholic Church will be held in December with a Celebration of Life to follow in 2027. Check back for updated information. 

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Vera, and their three daughters, Kristin Gallagher (Melvyn) of Seattle, WA, Jamie Gallagher (Gerard) of Denver, CO, and Meghan Gallagher of Chicago, IL; his beloved grandchildren Gerard III and Frank who knew him as “Papa”; his sister, Mary Beth French (Jim) and brother, Dan Gallagher, and many nieces, nephews, and their children. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Catherine, brother Rich and his wife Beverly, brother Tom, sister-in-law Cathy, and nephew Jeff.

Jim was born in Chicago, Illinois and grew up in the suburb of La Grange as the youngest of five children. His childhood passions included baseball, speedskating, avoiding the wrath of his older brothers, any and all airplanes, and minor pyrotechnics coupled with electrical circuitry. He survived childhood to earn his Bachelors of Science from Loyola University in Chicago where he met Vera through a mutual friend. He graduated from Loyola's Stritch School of Medicine (where he was known for his practical jokes on fellow students) and married Vera in 1973. A fellowship in psychiatry piqued a strong interest in mental health. He was accepted to the psychiatric residency program at Duke University. Jim and Vera relocated to Durham, North Carolina, where they enjoyed southern hospitality and became quite the tennis duo. He began his career at a state psychiatric hospital in Butner while pursuing a Professional Management Education certificate at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Jim and Vera also welcomed their first two daughters, Kristin and Jamie, during that time.

Jim and Vera eventually determined it was time to evaluate new opportunities. The decision to be closer to family led to a move to Des Moines in 1983. A kind mentor took Jim under his wing, encouraging him to try his hand at entrepreneurship and start a private practice. In addition to his private practice, Jim’s work in the Des Moines community included supporting military exams, providing expert testimony, psychiatric consulting, and serving several local county care facilities. He achieved a board certification in Forensic Psychiatry and was recognized as a Distinguished Life Fellow by the American Psychiatric Association. He and Vera purchased an acreage upon arriving in Des Moines, a big change for two Chicagoans. With the addition of their third child, Meghan, and numerous pets, the acreage quickly became a favorite gathering spot.

Outside the office, while Jim’s time was often devoted to supporting his daughters’ and eventually his grandsons' various activities (some more enthusiastically than others), he enjoyed hunting pheasant, skiing, and fishing with friends and family, flying model airplanes (mostly successfully), an occasional round of golf, and maintaing the acreage. Jim and Vera embarked on many memorable trips – including visiting their children – but he was happiest at the cabin in northern Minnesota where he could truly relax. He loved all aspects of cabin life - boating, waterskiing, golfing, fishing, visiting with friends, and taking baths in the lake (perhaps out of necessity since his wife and daughters regularly commandeered the one bathroom).

Sadly, Jim was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and eventually retired earlier than he desired. He turned his attention to spending time with his family, and loved taking his grandsons on the ATV, boat rides, and teaching them how to fish (often untangling fishing lines).

A service at Sacred Heart Church will be held in December with a Celebration of Life to follow in 2027 (details TBD). In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Iowa Chapter of the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA Iowa) and the Iowa Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI Iowa).

The family would like to thank Drs. Struck, Gloor, and Lozier and their staff, the wonderful team at MorningStar at Jordan Creek, MercyOne Hospice (especially Amber, Sabrina, and Sam), Iowa Methodist/UnityPoint Hospital provider team, and many others who cared for Jim.