Don Gallagher was named as the 2026 Konawa Citizen of the Year by the Konawa Chamber of Commerce at their annual Konawa Community Banquet on Friday night.

There were over 100 in attendance at the Konawa Community Banquet, all of whom enjoyed good food, entertainment and a wonderful program.

The night started with the Konawa FFA presenting the Colors and the Konawa band playing the Star-Spangled Banner. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Keigan Hinds FFA Vice President followed by prayer by Bruce Sanders of the Vamoosa Baptist Church. The buffet style meal was prepared by the JOM Team from Konawa High School. Students from the FFA and FCCLA organizations helped serve.

Mr. Wayne Gibbs, a retired Konawa teacher, played and sang while the group enjoyed their dinner. The Chamber always holds a silent auction consisting of items donated by various business and purchased items from the Chamber. This year the Chamber conducted a drawing from all tickets sold and gave one lucky winner $400.00 in certificates and another $200.00 from various businesses from Konawa.

After community updates from Karis Reavis, Konawa High School Superintendent and Ronnie Branscum, Konawa City Council, Mr. Branscum presented to the group the six nominees for Konawa Citizen of the Year. They were Beth Woody, Dave Herriman, Don Gallagher, Leander Yellowfish, Philip Bradley, and Tonya Harjo. After comments from all the nominees, Mr. Don Gallagher was named as the 2026 Konawa Citizen of the Year.

Don Gallagher, a long time Konawa resident, came to Konawa as a young man and helped in his family’s business the Konawa Leader, the local Konawa newspaper.

After high school Don attended college and served his country in the National Guard and was deployed to Desert Storm and served 25 years retiring from the Army Reserves. Don also served his community retiring from the Konawa Volunteer Fire Department after many years of service. Don is now in his 50th year of teaching and coaching at Konawa High School. Don has had a tremendous effect on many students through his many years at Konawa and is affectionately known as “Coach G” by everyone at Konawa High School. Don is a family man and attends the First United Methodist Church of Konawa and continues to be a great asset in the community of Konawa.

The banquet concluded with the guest speaker, Paula Kedy, the Statewide Aerospace STEM Education Manager, that challenged the group to reach for and give the “opportunities” to our students that they deserve and that are out there so they can all succeed in life. Paula’s words were well received by everyone.

A cake auction, which is always one of the highlights of the event, was also part of the evening’s activities.

The Konawa Community Banquet is an annual event sponsored by the Konawa Chamber of Commerce.