Roderick (Rod) Gallimore, 75, Lewisville, TX passed from this earth into the loving arms of our Heavenly Father on March 8 after a courageous battle with cancer.   Rod was born in Crab Orchard, WV to the late Paul and Ruby Gallimore.  He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School Beckley, WV in 1952 and attended Beckley College & West Virginia University.   He was a proud member of the 11th Airborne Division, 503rd AIR, Easy Company.  He is a member of the Brethren Church.

Rod married his high school sweetheart, Jeanette Haynes, on April 10, 1954.  He was a photoengraver with Florida Times Union for ten years.  He began his career in health care support services with Service Master Hospital Corp. in 1968.  He retired from Hospital Corp. of America in April, 2007 after a 39-year career in health care.  He was a Laundry/Linen, EVA Coordinator for the HCA North Texas Division.  His career took him all over the country & he became a mentor to a number of young men who are still like sons to him.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by son Rocky of Lewisville, and son, Daniel and daughter-in-law, Allison, of Lewisville, both employed at the Medical Center Of Lewisville.  He is also survived by the Apple of His Eye, his precious granddaughter, Amy Thissell, who could bring a smile to her Paw Paw's face by just walking into the room.  He is also survived by brother Richard and sister-in-law Madeline of Pearland, TX and several nieces and nephews.

For several years Rod loved sailing Grapevine Lake in "Amy G" and "Karen Reid".  Rod's Passion was golf and he loved spending time at his retirement home at Falconhead Resort & Country Club in Burneyville, OK.  He loved to say he "started to feel better when he crossed the Red River, headed north."  He was also a member of a WV hunting club and enjoyed spending time in the beautiful WV mountains with his buddies.

Rod was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and brother and our hearts are broken.  His kind and quiet demeanor had a calming effect on all who came in contact with him.  He was a true gentleman who earned the respect of all who had the honor of knowing him.  Rod was the anchor of our family and was everything good.  He will be sorely missed.

Family will receive friends at Mulkey-Mason Funeral Home, 740 S. Edmonds Lane, Lewisville, TX between 6 & 8 P.M. on Tuesday, March 10, 2009.  A graveside service with military honors will be at DFW National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, TX with Rod's brother-in-law, Rev. Bud Israel officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.  Obituary and guestbook at mulkeymason.com (Lewisville).