Thomas “Tom” Gallup, 79, of Redfield, SD passed away at the Sanford Medical Center in Aberdeen, SD on Friday, May 13, 2022.
Visitation will be from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., with his funeral service following at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 19, 2022, at Hyke Funeral Home in Redfield. Pastor Adrian Timmons will officiate. After the service, interment will take place at Greenlawn Cemetery in Redfield. Coffee and bars will be served at the Redfield Senior Center following the burial.
The funeral service will be livestreamed to the funeral home’s website, below Tom’s obituary. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hyke Funeral Home. (www.hykefuneralhome.com)
Thomas “Tom” Gallup was born March 9, 1943, in Redfield, SD to Robert “Clair” Gallup and Mildred (Brueske) Gallup. He lived in Redfield all his life, other than 4 years where his family lived on a farm just south of Athol, SD. He attended school in Athol and also in Redfield until he was a sophomore in high school. Tom married Letha Kopplin, of Tulare, SD, on December 17, 1966 in Mitchell, SD. They were married for 51 ½ years until Letha passed away, September 16, 2018. During their marriage, they had two girls, Jolene and Gerri. Tom and Letha also had a number of dogs throughout the years - Pepper, Sandy, Sparky, H.C., Lizzie, Gertie, Roxy and Maggie. Tom had a huge love of dogs, especially dalmatians. He had a heart of gold when it came to animals.
Tom honorably served in the National Guard for a number of years. He worked in the cook unit. He learned to cook for large amounts of people…and that stayed with him all his life. In 1967, Tom and Letha bought the Bus Café in Redfield. Tom’s love of cooking followed him through his life, whether it was family gatherings, cooking at the lake, holidays, employee parties, etc. Tom loved cooking! After closing the Bus Café, Tom took on the head cook position at Area IV Nutrition to cook for the Senior Citizens of the Redfield community. He retired from Area IV in 2017. Despite retiring, he continued to cook meals for his family and anyone that may come over to the house. His love of cooking all started with helping his mother Millie and aunt Carrie.
At age 15, Tom helped out at the Sioux Drive In Theatre (now Pheasant City Drive In) putting speakers on poles for the season. At this point, the theatre business became a part of his blood and would last a lifetime. His true theatre career started in 1958 at the Old State Theatre in Redfield. For a number of years he commuted to Huron to work as a projectionist, as well. In March 1972, Tom and his wife Letha purchased the Pheasant City Drive In Theatre in Redfield. They owned it until January 2014. The Drive In Theatre was Tom’s favorite challenge out of all the businesses he owned.
In 1972, Tom and Letha made the endeavor of breaking ground for the Cinema Theatre in downtown Redfield. During its tenure, it also encompassed the Cinema Video for a number of years during the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s. The Cinema finally closed its doors in April of 2014.
As if Tom wasn’t busy enough, he also proudly served 40 years on the Redfield City Volunteer Fire Department and 37 years on the Redfield Rural Volunteer Fire Department. On the Rural Fire Department he served not only as a firefighter, but also as the Secretary/Treasurer.
Tom enjoyed many things in life during his free time, such as gardening, spending time at the family cabin at Cottonwood Lake, trains, movies, coin collecting, and helping family and friends with different projects.
Tom is survived by his children: Jolene Gallup of Chandler, AZ and Gerri Gallup (Greg Roggenthen) of Redfield, SD. He is also survived by his only grandchild: Thomas Tyler Roggenthen (his namesake & apple of his eye); his brother Richard (Marjorie) Gallup of Redfield, SD; as well as many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews, and friends who are family.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents; brother, David; wife, Letha, the love of his life; and honorary family members Henry Heller and Lynn Barrie.