Max Gilbert Gollaher Obituary

Max Gilbert Gollaher

     

Birth: Mar. 8, 1924

Carbon County

Utah, USA

Death: Oct. 20, 2008

Salt Lake County

Utah, USA

Our country is in mourning, for a veteran died today. Surrounded by his family, Max Gilbert Gollaher died on October 20, 2008. He was 84.

Max was born March 8, 1924 in Storrs, Carbon County, Utah to Gilbert and Annie Osborne Gollaher. Max was raised and attended school in Tooele, where he was active in all sports, graduating in May 1943. Upon graduation, Max enlisted in the United States Navy. He served in the amphibious assault forces in the South Pacific during World War II where he was engaged in six major assault landings and received six battle stars. Among the commendations he received were an Outstanding Military Award, a Presidential Unit citation and the Victory Medal. His small boat, a Landing Craft Control, led the first waves of troops onto the beaches. His unit suffered 83 percent casualties.

After his honorable discharge following the War, Max enrolled at Utah State University in Logan, Utah, and graduated in 1950 with a B.S. degree in Education. He later received an M.S. from Brigham Young University and an M.ED. from U.S.U. He graduated from the U.S.U. Air Force ROTC program as a commissioned Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force Reserve. Later he was awarded the same USAF permanent commission as was awarded at the Colorado Springs Air Force Academy. Max was a high school teacher, coach, counselor, principal and superintendent of schools. 

In the four years he coached basketball, his teams won two state championships. While attending U.S.U., Max met and fell in love with Fern Condie of Cache Valley, Utah. They were married on August 17, 1948 in the Salt Lake Temple. Since retiring from the school system on July 1, 1987, he and his wife have lived in Salt Lake. Together they served an LDS Mission to England from 1989 to 1991 and a two-year Stake Mission from 1994-1996. Max served in many church callings in both ward and stake, but he said that the greatest position he ever held was that of being a father to his family, who he loved dearly.

Max is survived by his wife of 60 years, four sons, Greg (Jill), Brad (Nancy), Martin "Marty" (Tammy), Scott (Sharon), one daughter, Shaunalie "Shaunie" (Bart) Fotheringham, 22 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. His daughter, Tawna, his only brother, DeLoy, two sisters, Iva and Thelma, and his parents preceded him in death.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2008 at the Monument Park 12th Ward Chapel, 2795 East Crestview Drive (1010 South) Salt Lake City, Utah. Friends may visit with the family the day of the service at the Church from 11:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. 

Interment at the Salt Lake City Cemetery.

Published in the Deseret News from 10/23/2008 - 10/24/2008.