Elliott Galloway, 87, founder and headmaster emeritus of The Galloway School, died July 5 after attempting to run in his 35th Peachtree Road Race but he was unable to complete the course.
Later on July 4 he decided to get in a second workout and fell while running, causing a hemorrhage, according to his son Jeff Galloway of Sandy Springs.
The Galloway school founder, who was known for his marathon runs, died at Piedmont Hospital.
A native of Moultrie, Georgia, Galloway graduated from Wake Forest University, Class of 1942; attended Union Theological Seminary from 1946–1948; and served in the United States Navy from 1942 to 1958.
In 1958, Galloway moved to Atlanta and became a leader in several area private schools. After serving as teacher, guidance counselor, principal and coach at The Westminster Schools, Galloway was named Headmaster of Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School.
His long-held convictions about progressive education and the practices of John Dewey led Galloway to found his own independent day school. The Galloway School opened its doors to 380 students in the fall of 1969. Headmaster until his retirement in 1990, Galloway was admired and respected both locally and nationally for his commitment to honoring and educating the whole child. As a part of his large legacy, The Galloway School, located at 215 W. Wieuca Road, NW in Chastain Park, currently enrolls more than 700 students, PreK-12th grade, and will celebrate its 39th commencement in the 2008–2009 year.