James Livingston "Jim" Galloway was serving as fire commissioner for the East Lake District.
By BETSY BOLGER-PAULET, Times Staff Writer
Published January 17, 2005
James Livingston "Jim" Galloway, commissioner of the East Lake Fire District since 1998, but better known by his registered clown name "Jimbo," died Friday (Jan. 14, 2005) at his home under the care of Hospice of the Florida Suncoast. He was 81.
Mr. Galloway had lung cancer. He was an Army veteran of World War II.
Active in the Fun 'n' Frolic Clown Unit of Egypt Shrine of Tampa, he performed throughout the state as the ragged old prankster tramp Jimbo.
He would hand a rose in a straw to a woman, then leave her holding the straw, or he would drop a dollar bill and yank it back with a tug of monofilament line.
Mr. Galloway got his love of pranks from his parents. He said that his mother, a prankster nicknamed "Huggie," went trick or treating in homemade costumes well into her 90s. He also admitted that her actions often were a trial to his father - particularly when she would have dummies rigged to jump up when someone opened a door.
For many years, Mr. Galloway played Santa in the annual East Lake Christmas parade. This year, said his wife, Flo, Mr. Galloway donned his Santa costume at 6 a.m. on Christmas Day and along with 14 other clowns went to the Masonic Home in St. Petersburg to wake up the elderly residents and pass out gifts.
Mr. Galloway traced his love of the holiday back to his mother, who he said would put a lot of effort into the festivities surrounding this time of year.
"My mother was always a Christmas nut," he once said. "She would leave (decorations) up until Easter. I got into the spirit."
Born in Homestead, Pa., Mr. Galloway came to Pinellas County in 1983 after he retired as director of placement for Bowling Green (Ohio) State University. He graduated from Bowling Green and earned a master's degree from Ohio State University.
In November, he was re-elected for a second term as fire commissioner for the East Lake District. When he learned that the state was requiring an American flag in every classroom, Mr. Galloway organized a collection at East Lake Fire Rescue to pay for flags in local elementary schools.
Along with his work with the Shrine, Mr. Galloway was a delivery driver for Meals on Wheels and a volunteer for Hospice of the Florida Suncoast. He played drums and was a member of a bagpipe band. He was active in the Lansbrook Family YMCA, the Pinellas County Mended Hearts Association, Heritage United Methodist Church at Countryside and Trinity Presbyterian Church, Clearwater, the Masonic Lodge and the Scottish Rite.
In 2003, Bowling Green State gave Mr. Galloway its alumni community service award.
Besides his wife, a college professor, Mr. Galloway is survived by two sons, Scott K., Findlay, Ohio, and Jeff E., Brighton, Colo.; a daughter, Julie E. Hughes, Bowling Green; 13 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be Tuesday January 18, 2005 at 10 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 2001 Rainbow Ave., Clearwater. Curlew Hills Funeral Home, Palm Harbor, is in charge of arrangements.
