David Pernell Gallop, Sr.

David Pernell Gallop, Sr.
December 11, 1929 – July 4, 2026

David Pernell Gallop, Sr., left this world at the age of 96 on July 4, 2026, to receive his gift from God, “eternal life with Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

Born on December 11, 1929, in Harbinger, NC, to Ike and Virgie Gallop, Pernell enjoyed a childhood filled with adventures on the Currituck Sound. He was blessed with four siblings: Edmund, Grace, Iona, and Norman. Joining his father and grandfather, Pernell spent his days duck hunting and fishing. He loved riding bicycles and often saved his lunch money to buy used bikes, purchasing thirteen different ones during his youth. At the age of twelve, he purchased his first boat with a motor for $35. Even at a young age, Pernell was hard-working and dedicated, dropping out of school during World War II to fish nets and help support his family financially. After three years, he returned to the ninth grade at W.T. Griggs High School, where he later graduated in 1950 as the salutatorian of his class.

Cherishing his experiences at Roanoke Christian Service Camp, Pernell decided to go into ministry. He attended Johnson Bible College and later transferred to Roanoke Bible College, where he met his wife, Cora Ainsley. He graduated from RBC in 1954 as class valedictorian and began his preaching ministry at Newton Park Church of Christ in Norfolk, Virginia. Over the years, he served as a minister at St. Clair’s Church of Christ, West Belhaven Church of Christ, Fairfield Church of Christ, Albemarle Church of Christ, Jarvisburg Church of Christ, Wilkinson Church of Christ, and Cabin Swamp Church of Christ. Pernell also spent many of those years ministering to youth by leading Roanoke Bible College's summer camp, picking up numerous children for VBS, and teaching Sunday school classes.

In addition to serving the Lord through ministry, Pernell spent his life working on the water. He began crabbing with pots in the 1960s and fished nets in the river, sound, and ocean. He loved being in a boat and crabbed until he was 79 years old. Known by all as an energetic and passionate fisherman, he continued fishing gill nets until the age of 93.

Pernell's greatest role was serving as a devoted husband to his wife, Cora, and a loving father to his son, David Pernell Gallop Jr. (Linda). He loved and cherished his three grandchildren, Amber Gallop Hardison (Chad), Aaron David Gallop (Brooke), and Ashley Gallop White (Joshua). His legacy lives on through his beloved great-grandchildren: Ainslee Grace, Amelia, David Jude, Noelle, Caroline, Haddon, and Bennett.

We look forward to being reunited with our Pepaw one day in Heaven, as we are thankful for his example of loving and serving our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We will miss hearing the fun stories of his youth that he shared, including running across the first Wright Memorial Bridge on the wooden railing, climbing to the top of the Wright Brothers Memorial, and hitchhiking with a friend to Washington, D.C. Until we are reunited, we'll ride our bicycles, tell jokes, and watch college basketball, thinking of you.

A funeral service will be held at 2:30 pm, on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at Cabin Swamp Church of Christ, with Gregg Brookins and Pastor Royce Reynolds officiating. The family will visit with friends following the service in the fellowship hall.

Arrangements are by Bryan Funeral Service, Columbia.