Judge Thomas Gallen Jr. Honored At 11th Annual MCRHS Awards Dinner
Manatee County Rural Health Services Foundation held its’ 11th annual Lifetime Achievement Awards Dinner on October 25th and honored Judge Gallen Jr. with a lifetime achievement award for his decades of service within the community. Judge Gallen Jr. was born in Tampa and attended the University of Tampa. Gallen served in the Korean War in the Armed Special Forces and was a Green Beret, serving until 1955. After his military service Gallen returned to college and earned a BS in business administration from Florida State University and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Florida. From 1965 to 1985, Gallen was a law partner in the firm of Miller, Gallen, Kaklis and Venable. Gallen also served as a member of the Florida legislature for twelve years during this time period and served from 1965 to 1972. Gallen was elected to the Florida Senate and served from 19721978 and returned to practice law in 1978. Gallen was elected and served as a 12th Judicial Circuit Judge in 1985 and in 1998 was elected as Chief Judge and remained in the position until his retirement in 1998. Gallen received the Manatee County’s Bar’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Gallen continues to work within the community and served as Senior Circuit Judge for the 12th Judicial Circuit and Associate Judge on the 2nd District Court of Appeals. Gallen was appointed to MCR Health services Board of Directors in 2013. A video presentation of Gallen’s accomplishments and words of thanks from associates, colleagues and friends within the community was presented at the dinner. Gallen credited Senator Price, Jr., (for whom the award is named for) for the accomplishments Gallen was able to reach as Price was a mentor to him in the Senate. Gallen said, “I listened to Price and never went wrong.” Gallen also said marrying his wife, the former Miss Bradenton was the best decision he ever made in his life and is still the best part of his life along with his children and grandchildren and he was proud to share the award with her.
