Dr. John Kilgallin, 65, Columbia
Dr. John Kilgallin, of Columbia, passed from this life Monday, February 2, 2026, at the Jean Waddle Care Center, in Somerset. He was 65 years of age.
Born July 11,1960, in Ashland, he was a son of the late Benton and Nancy P’simer Kilgallin. Dr. Kilgallin was a well-known and loved family and emergency room physician for over 33 years in Russell County. He was a founding member of SONrise Church in Adair County.
Dr. K was a man with many talents and even more hobbies. This led him to make deep connections with people from all walks of life. He had a beloved career as a physician, and he was a physician of the best kind. He wanted to be remembered as a physician who kept “healthcare” a verb, not a noun. He didn’t treat diseases and symptoms; he cared for people.
He believed strongly in caring for the entirety of a person. He spent his life saving countless lives but never missed an opportunity to point people to their true savior. This care extended to everyone he knew, but especially to his family. He loved to take us to dinner, help us with our projects, give us a listening ear and plan us a good vacation.
His grandchildren were “second to none” in his eyes. He spoiled them all, but the greatest gift was the way he took time to invest in each of them in their own special way. This is his legacy, and he left knowing his legacy will continue to make the world a better place, the same way he did.
Survivors include his beloved wife, Lynn Taylor Kilgallin; four sons, Sean (and Tara) Kilgallin, of Huntsville, Alabama, Aaron (and Paige) Bradshaw, of Atlanta, Georgia, Austin (and Audreanna) Bradshaw, of Columbia, and Christian Kilgallin (and Megan Helm), of Columbia; two daughters, Jenna (and Jonathan) Wahl, of Louisville, and Ella Kilgallin, of Columbia, nine grandchildren, Amilia, Nora, Charlotte, Adalynn, Whitley, Audrey, Hudson, Ansel, and Kenneth; one brother, James (and Mary) Kilgallin, of Scott Branch; three sisters, Lois (and Bobby) Yoakum, of Mt. Washington, Angie (and Kirby) Kemble, of Shepherdsville, Debbie Kilgallin (and Fig Chaffin) of Catlettsburg; and a host of nieces, nephews, and special friends that were near and dear to his heart.
Funeral services are 11:00 AM CST Friday, February 6, 2026, at Bernard Funeral Home with Dr. Rick Miles, Bro. Gary Welker, and Bro. Gary Roy officiating. Burial will follow in the Kilgallin Family Cemetery, located on Dr. Kilgallin’s farm in Adair County.
Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 PM CST Thursday at the funeral home and will resume at 8:00 AM Friday morning.
Sean Kilgallin, Aaron Bradshaw, Austin Bradshaw, Christian Kilgallin, Jonathan Wahl, Frank Kilgallin, and Caleb Pruitt will serve as pallbearers.
The family has requested in lieu of flowers or gifts, please make a monetary donation to the building fund of SONrise Church for Dr. K’s Youth Center. These can be left at the funeral home or sent to https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/dr-ks-youth-center
