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J. Palmer Gaillard, Jr.

John P. Gaillard Jr.
58th Mayor of Charleston, South Carolina
In office
1959–1975
Preceded by William McG. Morrison
Succeeded by Arthur B. Schirmer Jr.
Personal details
Born (1920-04-20)April 20, 1920
Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.
Died July 29, 2006(2006-07-29) (aged 86)
Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Lucy Foster (m. 1944; her death 2001)
Children John, III
William
Thomas
Profession Aviator

John Palmer Gaillard Jr. (April 20, 1920 – July 28, 2006) was an America politician, who was Mayor of Charleston, South Carolina.

John Gaillard was born on Easter Sunday, April 20, 1920, in Charleston to J. Palmer Gaillard and Eleanor Lucas Gaillard. After a local education, he enlisted in the United States Navy two days after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He served as a pilot for four years and was discharged as a lieutenant in November 1945. Upon his return to Charleston, he founded the Seaboard Lumber & Supply Co. in 1946. In 1951 and 1955 he was elected to Charleston City Council.

In 1959, he was elected Mayor of Charleston, was re-elected three times, and served until 1975. During his administration, the city expanded its boundaries for the first time since 1849, more than doubling in size during his time in office.

In 1975, he was named Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Reserve Affairs by President Gerald Ford. He announced his resignation as mayor on April 24, 1975, upon his nomination to the federal post by Sen. Strom Thurmond; at his final City Council meeting, the civic auditorium was renamed in his honor as the Gaillard Municipal Auditorium. In 1977, he returned to Charleston and assumed the vice presidency of contracting firm Ruscon Corporation, a position he retained until retiring in 1985.

He died on July 29, 2006, in Charleston, South Carolina, when he pulled in front of an on-coming truck; the truck driver was not charged. He is buried at St. Philips Episcopal Church in Charleston.


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