Clay Campbell, DeKalb County State’s Attorney, said Judge T. Jordan Gallagher was a giant within Illinois legal circles who was first and, foremost, a friend to people.

Gallagher, 63, died Saturday at Edward Hospital & Health Services in Naperville. According to a press release from the DeKalb County Judicial Center, Gallagher’s death came after a short battle with cancer. Gallagher was an associate judge for the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit in Kane County.

“Jordan Gallagher was a legendary trial lawyer,” Campbell said. “I have big shoes to fill as State’s Attorney.”

According to the release, Gallagher grew up in rural DeKalb County and graduated from DeKalb High School in 1965. He was also the founder of the law firm Gallagher, Klein & Brady and served as an assistant attorney general for two decades.

“I never saw him turn away a person because of money,” Campbell said. “He put the client first and was always committed to justice.”

Campbell said he worked for Gallagher for three years while Gallagher was in private practice.

According to the release, Sycamore City Manager Bill Nicklas said the death of Gallagher meant losing a close personal friend.

“I have spent most of my professional life here in DeKalb County and have always considered Jordan to be a leading attorney who served the best interests of his clients,” Nicklas said.

According to the release, F. Keith Brown, Chief Judge of the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit, said “He was one of our finest judges, respected by the prosecution, defense and the Bar. He can never be replaced.”

Visitation and funeral arrangements can be found at the Butala Funeral Home website, http://www.butalafuneralhomes.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=1194747&fh_id=12326.