Dr. John Kilgallin, 65, of Columbia, KY passed from this life Monday, February 2, 2026 at the Jean Waddle Care Center, in Somerset. He was born July 11,1960 in Ashland, KY, 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:
His beloved wife: Lynn Taylor Kilgallin
4 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
2 daughters: Jenna (and Jonathan) Wahl of Louisville, and Ella Kilgallin of Columbia
9 grandchildren: Amilia, Nora, Charlotte, Adalynn, Whitley, Audrey, Hudson, Ansel, and Kenneth
1 brother: James (and Mary) Kilgallin of Scott Branch
3 sisters: Lois (and Bobby) Yoakum of Mt. Washington, Angie (and Kirby) Kemble of Shepherdsville, Debbie Kilgallin (and Fig Chaffin) of Catlettsburg
A host of nieces, nephews, & special friends who were near and dear to his heart
Funeral Service: Friday, February 6, 2026 at 11:00amCT at Bernard Funeral Home with Dr. Rick Miles, Bro. Gary Welker, and Bro. Gary Roy officiating
Burial: Kilgallin Family Cemetery, located on Dr. Kilgallin’s farm in Adair County
Visitation: Thursday from 4:00pm- 8:00pmCT at the funeral home and will resume at 8:00amCT on Friday morning
Pallbearers: Sean Kilgallin, Aaron Bradshaw, Austin Bradshaw, Christian Kilgallin, Jonathan Wahl, Frank Kilgallin, and Caleb Pruitt
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/
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Bernard Funeral Home. An online guestbook is available at www.bernardfuneralhome.com.
