After a full and illustrious 93 years Dave passed away on September 11, 2026, surrounded by his loved ones.
Born in the peak of the Great Depression, David was raised in Jackson Michigan as an only child to Warren H. and Blanche (Bashore) Gallapoo. His love of athletics led him to attend Bowling Green State University where he played basketball for the Falcons, was in the Sigma Chi fraternity, and earned a degree in education. BGSU was also where he met the love of his life, Lois (Otterbacher) and a family that he would soon call his own.
After graduation, Dave joined the Army and was stationed in Fort Worth, Arkansas. He served as an artillery instructor while also playing basketball, volleyball, and ping pong for the Army. He later earned a master’s degree in education from Kent State University.
Dave and Lois were married in Valley City, Ohio on July 23, 1955. Following Dave’s time in the Army they moved to Wooster, and both became educators in the Wooster City School district. Dave taught Physical Education, Health, Driver’s Education, and Biology over the course of his 15 years teaching. Dave was also the Varsity basketball coach at WHS where he tallied over 100 wins in those eight years.
In 1971 Dave attended Missouri Auction School and spent the next 50 years as an auctioneer. He sold households, property, guns, cars, and numerous antiques all over Wayne County and the surrounding area. The majority of his auctions were held on the Wayne County Fairgrounds.
Oh, the fairgrounds…when Dave married Lois, he stepped into a family business and life on the road. Over the course of his married life, Dave and Lois developed a concession business that spanned over 50 years. Most currently named American Family Concessions. The entire Gallapoo family spent their summers shaking lemonade, stirring carmel corn, slinging french fries, spinning cotton candy, and so much more. At one point in the 1970’s American Family Concessions was operating more than 20 concession trailers simultaneously.
In between events on the fairgrounds, Dave squeezed in trips to his beloved camp in Matachewan, Ontario, Canada. Trips by boat or snowmobile, Dave averaged six trips a year for over 40 years. He enjoyed fishing and hunting small and large game.
Dave and Lois always found time to travel. They took trips to the Amazon, Africa, Europe, China, and all over the US and Canada, often with Lois’ extended family.
One of Dave’s other hobbies was collecting and selling antique cars. Most recently owning a Model T and a 1954 Ford Sykliner. Throughout his life, Dave gave back to his community. He was involved in the Wooster Rotary Club for nearly 50 years. He spent countless hours on their annual antique auction. He served on the Wooster City School Board for eight years and spent 30 years on the board of the Greater Ohio Showman’s Association (GOSA).
He is survived by his children Amy (Joe) Duda, Dale (Vicki), and Matt Gallapoo; grandchildren Holly (Jeremy) Pope, Katie Redmond, David and Clara Gallapoo (their mom, Wendy Pinta); and great grandchildren Rowan and Reese Pope. Dave also leaves behind several nieces, nephews, and numerous greats.
Dave was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Lois, as well his parents
A celebration of life will be held at a later date this fall.
McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St. Wooster is assisting the family.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: the Rupert Otterbacher Scholarship Fund, Greater Ohio Showman’s Association, PO box 1005 Springfield, OH 45503 or Ohio Hospice LifeCare 1900 Akron Rd. Wooster, OH 44691.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com
I was lucky to have Mr. Gallapoo as my biology teacher at Woo High, and went with his concessions tour in August of 1969. I worked one of his lemonade stands. He was an outstanding teacher and boss. My sympathies to his family. He was one of a kind.
I was fortunate to have Mr. Gallapoo for driver’s education. He was sooooo patient. He was loved by all the students and faculty. Thank you, Mr. Gallapoo.
I loved him!
Ron has known Dave since he was a child, I had the pleasure of meeting him when Ron & I married. I remember thinking he was quite the gentleman. When we started LOBO’S Dave was instrumental in getting us into the Wayne County Fair and we couldn’t have been more grateful for his support then and through the years that followed.
What a great and kind man he was. I know he will be greatly missed by his family and close friends, but we have talked about him through the years and will miss him and the stories he told us about Ron’s childhood and the fun and shenanigans they had fishing in Canada and camping.
Please know we send our most sincere sympathy to Amy, Dale and Matt and families. We feel certain he is with Lois and protectively watching over all of you.
Dale Vicki and family
Deepest for your loss. It was a privilege to know Dave.
Ron & Julie
Dave was such an amazing man and I loved working with him when he came to Canfield. I will always treasure his laugh and his ability to see the good in everything. Sending love and respect to the entire family.
Because of Mr. Gallapoo’s friendship with my father, I have experienced many opportunities that have shaped my life. I learned how the world worked, what generosity was and how to pay it forward,, and gratefulness for the grace he oftener showed to a strong willed child just learning how to work.
Mr. Gallapoo also offered me guidance when I had no one else to turn to.
There are not enough words to thank him or to honor the humanity he showed to everyone who was blessed enough to know him.
My thought and prayers are with all his family in this time of great loss.
Diane (Bowers) Barrios
I loved having Mr. Gallapoo for Biology at WHS! He was a great teacher who always had that great smile! My sympathy to his family and all who loved him.
Dave was an outstanding teacher at Wooster, truly loved the man with patience and love for his subject and his students.
Dale & Vicky, My deepest sympathy to you and the family. Dave was always such a great man. Always enjoyed his auctions. What a wonderful life he had filled with great adventures!
Susan And Jim Spires
Natalie and I are so sorry to hear the news. Our favorite memories with Dave were when he would invite us to pick blueberries in the headlake (Matachewan), and then enjoy a shore lunch fish fry. A true outdoorsman and a joy of a man! Rest easy my friend, say hi to the boys from High Falls Camp❤️
Our deepest sympathy to the family.
Ron & Kathy Scheetz
Shirt Factory
Dave Gallapoo was an amazing person. teacher, coach, leader. He always had a smile to share! He and Jim Byrd kept us laughing during the day at WHS. It was a sad day when he quit teaching to run the concession business. Hugs to all of you in your/our loss
WE knew Dave & Lois & Matt Better than the Rest of the Family & Lived in their old Log Cabin House by Dave’s Mother & Loved Having That As Our Home & inherited Matt When He visited His Gma/Dave & His Family Are “GREAT PEOPLE” /we wish We Had STAYED But moved To london Ohio & Now Back to Bill’s Family Farm In RAy Ohio About 5 yrs ago/Much LOVE & Blessings To ALL OF THE FAMILY
Awww Mr Gallapoo! One of my very favorite teachers!! I loved being in his class and enjoy hearing him laugh and seeing that great smile of his! My funniest memory of Mr Gallapoo was in biology. We were divided into groups to direct a frog! A live frog which meant it needed to be killed! As luck would have it my group wound up being made up of all females. We did manage to tie the string to the frogs leg and to the spicket on the table but just as we went to stab it. The frog took a giant leap, we all screamed and the poor frog wound up dangling by one leg off of the table. There was no way any of our group was going to try that again. Mr Gallapoo took pity on us vs and did the nasty deed!! I will always be looking for him at the fair cause I know his spirit will be walking among us!! Great guy!!!!
Amy, Dale and Matt, so very sorry to hear about your loss. Dave was a man I always looked up to and enjoyed being around. Always a man of class and a great friend. He will be missed by so many
Dave’s family, Mike and I are so sorry for the loss of a
special coach and more importantly a special man.
He will be missed.
Amy, Dale, Matt and the Gallapoo family; you are all in our thoughts and prayers. David was a special person and long-time family friend. Many great memories of fishing/hunting trips and talking with David at auctions throughout the area. David and my father were both instrumental in the founding and growth of the local Ducks Unlimited Chapter in Wayne County. Many thanks to David for his years of dedicated service with the organization. Rest in peace my friend.
The Beckler Family
Talked to Dave last yr at green leaf restaurant he had a great memory of things that he was involved with.sorry for family loss he was my driver Ed teacher.
Although I was just one of his younger son’s buddies from high school, he always treated me as if I was more. What a storied life… Athlete, soldier, educator, entrepreneur, auctioneer, outdoorsman, auto enthusiast, not to mention husband and father and friend to so many. More than once, I had to wait my turn to say hello at the Wayne County Fair. I didn’t mind though. I had to wait in line for the caramel corn too. Both well worth it. They certainly don’t make them like him anymore. So many of us are fortunate to have known him and to have had his example in our lives. To all of the family, formal and extended, sorry for your loss.
Our parents were great friends. Dads enjoyed Rotary and our moms loved their ladies groups. Wooster will miss these amazing people. Sending my sympathies, Amy.
I graduated in 1964 from WHS. I had no classes or sports activities with Mr Gallapoo; yet each time we passed by each other he had a warm smile on his face as we greeted each other. Never had a conversation together but he’s left me with an enduringly warm kind impression. An exceptional man and a life well lived.
It’s taken me a while to think what I really wanted to say. I still “see” him everyday, hear his voice and I’ll miss him so much for the rest of my life. He and Lois were not just friendly neighbors, they both were my mentors, my God parents, and the cornerstones of how I’ve lived my life. I followed the path of what Dave led me to – the love of life, especially animals, and there are so many lessons and statements he told me that I will never forget. He definitely was, and still is, the most important man in my entire life.