Saying goodbye to four Comstock characters

It seems all I'm doing lately is going to funerals and memorials. Two remarkable women and two remarkable musicians died recently in Virginia City and Mark Twain, and though I only knew one of the four well, they all had an impact on their communities.

Lola Gallagher, who was married to Hugh Gallagher Sr., the former Storey County School District superintendent after whom Virginia City's elementary school is named, died on June 16 at the age of 86.

Ron Gallagher, Lola's nephew, gave the eulogy, and said she was smiling.

"She had a Mass said in her favorite church, in her favorite city with family and friends watching," he said.

He talked about her preference for Irish tea, which he said others call "7 and 7. If you haven't tried it, try it today. She'd like that."

He said she was a wife, mentor, friend, pillar of the community and the primary buyer and wrapper of the children's Christmas party toys for the Fire Department Auxiliary that she helped to found.

He said Lola offered a kind and sympathetic ear anytime, and was a tower of strength for the whole family when she became ill.

"A few years ago, Lola had heart problems," he said. "She was in St. Mary's. Hugh Sr. walked into the alcove and I said 'I'm going home but Judy and I will only be a phone call away.' He put his hand on my arm and in a clear, confident voice, said 'she'll be fine, Ron, she comes from good stock.'"

Dorothy Crider, a longtime Virginia City resident, was remembered for her independent streak.

Gene Graves remembered how Dorothy was a stickler for how the tables should be, and one night he and some friends turned them all diagonally, but they were right back straight by the next morning.

Doug Truhill remembered how he was looking for a business to buy, and was in negotiations with an owner, when he got a letter from Dorothy, whom he didn't know.

"We don't know how she got our address," he said. "She detailed this man and his background and what he was planning to do to us, because he had done things to her. We felt over the years she was such a solid friend."

Dorothy's son told of how his mom was extremely passionate about family, friends and the town of Virginia City.

"She was tough as nails, but would turn around and give you the shirt off her back," he said. "Just don't try to take it from her."

Don Johnson, a guitar stylist who lived in Virginia City for many years, until he moved to Mark Twain to care for his father, lost a battle with lung cancer.

He played in every place you can play in Virginia City, from the Red Dog to the Gold Hill Hotel, to the Washoe Club. After he moved, he performed on the first Monday of every month with Tom Zachry and Daniel Yuhasz at the East 50 Bar in Mark Twain.

Don would perform classical guitar and throw in some pop tunes done in a classical style, and he was unique. He could play Beatles and Led Zeppelin tunes and make them sound like Segovia.

I met him the first day I was in Virginia City, at the Red Dog jam sessions they used to have on Monday nights, back in 1999.

A passionate Rush Limbaugh fan, Don called everyone he met a liberal, whether they were or not, because he had to out-conservative everyone, and usually did. He was also a crack pool and darts player.

A memorial musicians jam will be held to remember Don at 6 p.m. Sunday in the building he performed in so often, Kitty's Longbranch, formerly the Red Dog Saloon, 76 North C St. It's a potluck and will include most, if not all, the local musicians who have performed with Don over the years.

And Daniel Yuhasz, the aforementioned musician of the East 50 Bar, was a member of the Silver City Guard and played the autoharp. He spent a lot of time in Silver City, and his memorial there Monday drew about 60 people.

I didn't know Daniel well; he was very quiet, but I loved to listen to him and Tom Zachry play once a month at the East 50.

These four were regular folks and real Comstock characters, and they touched more lives than they realized. Including mine. They will be missed on the hill.

- Contact reporter Karen Woodmansee at kwoodmansee@nevadaappeal.com or call 881-7351.