John Emerson Galloway

It's impossible to capture John in flowery words -- you had to feel his presence to understand -- and if you had the good luck to be in his presence for any length of time, you already know. So we'll follow his example and keep it simple: Think of someone that is unfailingly good, wise, strong, stoic, steady, patient, reliable, and devastatingly witty. Multiply each of those qualities by ten. Now you're halfway to the oak tree of a man we had the honor to call our Dad.

Born on December 22, 1947, to Edgar Emerson Galloway and Mary Frances Fagan Galloway, John was raised in New Orleans—a city he loved with all his heart. He cherished its people, its traditions, its culture, and, of course, its incomparable food. New Orleans shaped him, and he never lost his affection for its unique spirit that makes it unlike any other place in the world.

John graduated from East Jefferson High School before attending Louisiana State University, where he earned both his undergraduate and law degrees. At LSU, he was an active member of Phi Gamma Delta (Fiji) fraternity and participated in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC). He served honorably as an officer in the United States Army.

John began practicing law with Deutsch, Kerrigan & Stiles before joining McGlinchey, Stafford, Mintz & Hoffman, where he practiced for many years. In 1987, he and his partners founded Galloway, Johnson, Tompkins, Burr & Smith, a firm that, over the ensuing decades, grew into one of the most respected litigation firms in Louisiana and throughout the Gulf Coast. John took immense pride not only in the firm's success, but in the people who built it and the culture of professionalism, integrity, and collegiality that continues to define it to this day. A very gifted trial lawyer, John devoted his career to maritime and insurance defense litigation. He earned the admiration of judges, clients, and fellow attorneys not simply because he won cases, but because of the way he practiced law—with meticulous preparation, unwavering honesty, civility toward opposing counsel, and profound respect for the legal profession. Those qualities were recognized when he received the New Orleans Bar Association's Professionalism Award, one of the profession's highest honors and a fitting tribute to a lawyer whose reputation was built on integrity as much as excellence.

As accomplished as he was professionally, those closest to John will remember something even more special: his legendary wit. Whether recounting an event from the courtroom, family life, or growing up in New Orleans, John had an uncanny ability to captivate everyone around him. At family or firm gatherings, he was rarely the loudest voice. Instead, he listened. He let everyone else have their say. Then, when the conversation had run its course, John would offer a single sentence—insightful, perfectly timed, and almost invariably hilarious and pithy. Somehow, in just a few words, he would settle the discussion, make everyone laugh, and leave the room smiling. It was one of his many gifts.

For all of his accomplishments, John's greatest source of pride was his family. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, mentor, and friend. He taught not through speeches, but by example. His life reflected honesty, humility, kindness, perseverance, and quiet strength. Those lessons continue to live on in the family he loved so dearly.

Above all else, John was devoted to his beloved wife, Blanche. She was the love of his life, and theirs was a marriage defined by unwavering loyalty, deep affection, shared laughter, and complete devotion. Those who knew them understood that they were partners in every sense of the word. John cared for Blanche faithfully through every season of life, and after her passing, his love for her remained constant. Their marriage stands as a lasting example of enduring love.

John was preceded in death by his wife, Blanche Loretta Pearson Galloway, by his parents, Edgar Emerson Galloway and Mary Frances Fagan Galloway, and by his precious dog, Buddy. He is survived by his children, Melbourne Ernest "Trey" Joseph, III (wife, Lynn Keenan Joseph, and son, Zachary Michael Joseph, and wife, Samantha Yrle Joseph); and Robert Raymond Joseph (wife, Leslie Spano Joseph, and son, Jack Francis Rutledge Joseph). He is also survived by his sister, Carolyn Pace, and her children, Stephen Pace (Rose Williams), Daniel Pace (wife, Margaret Greco), and Jonathan Pace (wife, Vanessah, and daughter, Bernadette).

Ever humble, John requested that there be no funeral service or formal celebration of his life at this time. He believed the recent beautiful celebration of life held for Blanche had already honored the remarkable life they shared together in the best way imaginable, with so many family, dear friends and colleagues (he called it "the perfect day" which "couldn't be topped"). He loved that he was able to attend his own wake. His family will honor those wishes, for now.

The family would like to recognize and thank the wonderful staff at both Care Associates Hospice and Palliative Care, and NOLA Home Care, who made it possible for John to spend his last days well cared for at home as he wanted.

We can never repay all that he gave us. We can only honor him by trying to live our lives with incredible love, strength, integrity, and humor, in accordance with his splendid example.