John “Jack” Miller Gahley
June 27, 1939-Jan. 28, 2024
Fargo
John (Jack) Miller Gahley died on January 28, 2024 in Fargo, ND. He was born June 27, 1939 to Elmer and Eunice Gahley in Browning, MT. Jack graduated from Bismarck High School in 1957 and received his Doctor of Pharmacy from NDSU in Fargo in 1962.
Jack married Judith Freeman on December 28, 1963 in Bismarck, ND. They lived in Oregon, Minnesota, and North Dakota. In May 1970 Jack and Judy purchased Sigurdson Drug in Bottineau, ND and renamed it J & J Drug. They owned it for 17 years. They were blessed with two children, Elizabeth and John Deane.
Jack served on the Board of Directors of the Bottineau Winter Park; President of the Bottineau Chamber of Commerce and Bottineau Country Club and was a Bottineau City Councilman and a member of the ND State Pharmaceutical Assn.
Jack married Carol (Hagen) Wurgler on July 7, 1984 and moved to Fargo in 1985. He started Pharmacy Relief Services working at Thrifty Drug, West Fargo Drug, Casselton Drug, and Meritcare Care in Moorhead. He worked as the Pharmacist in Charge at Pamida Pharmacy in Detroit Lakes and then as a staff pharmacist at MedCenter One in Bismarck. Jack started working as Corporate Relief Pharmacist for White Drug in 2001. In 2003, he was transferred to Fargo to work in their North Dakota and Minnesota pharmacies. In 2012, he achieved 50 years of practice in pharmacy and earned a lifetime ND certificate. He worked 52 years as a pharmacist and held licenses in Wyoming, Oregon, Montana, Minnesota, and North Dakota.
Jack enjoyed history, photography, old west trails, traveling in the RV, motorcycling, fishing and hunting. He restored many antique cars throughout the years. He shared many camping trips with trusty companions, Dusty and Bailey, his cocker spaniels.
He is survived by his Wife-Carol Gahley, Moorhead, MN; Children-Elizabeth (Jerry) Fischer, Willmar, MN; Brad (Angie) Wurgler, Ottertail, MN; Karolee (Steve) Ondracek, Valley City, ND; Chad (Becca) Wurgler, Crystal, MN; Seven Grandchildren: Sydney (Andrew) Johnson; Sean (Niki) Wurgler; Emily (Omar) McDon- ald; Dalton Ondracek and special friend, Alli Davis; Alexis Ondracek and fiance Seth Hanson; Grace and Claire Wurgler; One Great Granddaughter – Charlotte McDonald; Sister – Ann (Steve) Ashley; Niece – Dr. Lynn Ashley; Nephew – Col. James Ashley.
He was preceded in death by his Father and Mother, Elmer and Eunice, and Son, John.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, February 8, 2024, at Hope Lutheran Church – South Campus, Fargo. The service will be livestreamed on the funeral home website. Visitation will be one hour prior. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Fargo.
Condolences and memories may be shared at www.hanson runsvold.com
Arrangements entrusted to Hanson- Runsvold Funeral Home – Fargo, ND
Published by The Pierce County Tribune, March 2, 2024.