David Gallegos

David Gallegos 53, of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, was born December 28, 1971, in Monterrey Mexico, the son of Alejandro and Diane L. (Aaserude) Gallegos. He went peacefully into his eternal home surrounded with love and family after a short but difficult battle with degenerative spine issues and dementia.

David was born with Downs Syndrome but never let it hold him back. He attended high school in Winona, Minnesota and while he was in school worked at a local McDonalds with a job coach. In recent years he attended the Casco Center in Harrisonville where he received the Shining Star of the Year Award in 2023.

David had his own sincere faith in God. He loved attending church with his family and loved going out to eat with others afterwards. David often carried his Bible and enjoyed praying for the family with his mom and singing worship songs. He attended the Grace and Truth Baptist Church in Pleasant Hill and the Hope City Church in Harrisonville.

If he met you at any time he would ask for a pen and paper and his room was filled with pens he collected and he liked doodling and writing his name. He also loved to sit with family enjoying conversations, joking and laughing while eating great Mexican food, especially guacamole, beans n rice. He always asked to go to Taco Johns and Subway. He was very loving and often offered a kiss and hug to the cute girls he would meet. His caregivers loved his sweet smile and Casco friends loved his unique approach to life. Though he was considered nonverbal he often had phrases he would repeat such as “I’m just kidding”, “I hate that”, “Get the mail”, “I love you”, and would name off his favorite people. He was a true extrovert coming alive at night. He would spend his free time talking to his kitty or our family golden retriever Jenny. He was a true animal lover and was often found sleeping with his calico kitty Mia in his lap or sharing his bed with his golden Guardian Angel.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Diane L “Diana” Gallegos and his special kitty friend, Callie.

He is survived by his father, Alejandro Gallegos; sister, Ivy (and David) Anderson; brother, Samuel (and Melissa) Gallegos; nephews and nieces. He is also survived by his beloved aunts, uncles and extended family in Mexico; Tota y Alberto and Sandra y Armando.

He had some very special caregivers over the years; his brother-in-law, David Anderson; nephews, Joshua and Joel Anderson; sister and Guardian, Ivy Anderson; personal aides and caregivers, Skylar Daniels, Carly Gregg, Ms. Betty, Olivia Daniels, our friend Audra and well as many others who formed his care team.

He will be dearly missed by his sister Ivy, his family, Father Alex, the Casco community he loved. and his extraordinary team of caregivers. Following is a message shared by Megan at Casco which summarizes Davids’s time there: “David brought a quiet but powerful presence to the Casco Day Program. He had a way of connecting with others through kindness, gratitude and gentle gestures. He especially loved music, flirting with the ladies, participating in various community outings, and claiming every pen in the department. David made progress we were all proud of. He was recognized for his growth during the 2023 awards ceremony. While he recently started battling medical issues, he never lost his spirit, his gentle soul, or his love for the world around him. His presence in our program will be missed but never forgotten.”

Visitation will be held 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Thursday, June 5, 2025, at the funeral home.

Private family graveside services will be held in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery.

A Celebration of David’s life will be held at 4:00 p.m. at the Hope City Church, 2737 Cantrell Rd., Harrisonville, Missouri 64701

Memorial contributions are suggested to Casco or the Alzheimer’s Association and may be sent in care of the funeral home.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.StanleyEdenburn.com

Arrangements: Stanley-Edenburn Funeral Home, 203 N. Armstrong St., Pleasant Hill, Missouri 64080 (816) 540-5550