David Garrison

David Garrison - Easley

David Garrison, 85, passed away Tuesday, July 13, 2010, after a long and productive life.

Mr. Garrison was born in the Three & Twenty community of northern Anderson County, the son of the late Henry and Lura Pickens Garrison and was predeceased by his beloved wife of fifty seven years, Ella Elizabeth Pepper Garrison.

Surviving are two children; a son, Rev. Carl Robert Garrison, a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel of Ochlocknee, GA; a daughter, Martha Garrison Green, also a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, and her husband, Jack Green, of Easley.

A 1942 graduate of Easley High School, Mr. Garrison worked the family farm until the age of 18, and then entered the US Army in 1943. Upon completion of training as a Sherman tank driver, he was deployed to the Pacific where he was assigned to the 713th Tank Battalion-the Army's only flame-thrower tank in the Pacific theater. There he fought in the crucial battle for Okinawa, and the postwar occupation for Korea. When discharged in 1946, he returned to Easley, continuing his military service in the Guard and Reserves into the early 1960's.

Following his return home from WWII, he worked locally at various dealerships and parts stores, then as the Service Manager for Leroy Cannon Volkswagen in Greenville. Later he made a career change, moving to Allstate Insurance as a claims adjuster, where he worked until his retirement in 1991.

Mr. Garrison was a member of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church from his youth until 2003, where he served as a deacon and Superintendant of the Sunday School for many years. From then until his passing, he was a member of Three & Twenty Baptist Church where he especially enjoyed the fellowship and the music.

David was a founding member of the Three & Twenty Fire Department, a task he gladly performed, keeping his physical testing current until he was 80 years old. He also served as an Anderson County Fire Commissioner for eight years supporting the 27 Anderson County volunteer fire stations. A vocal supporter of these stations and their chiefs, he insured that volunteer stations were updated with new trucks and other firefighting equipment; most importantly, he fought for and won safety benefits for volunteer firemen comparable to those of paid fireman.

His passion was motorcycling, riding with great pleasure for over 66 years; from his new 1946 Harley he purchased after coming home from WWII to the Suzuki he was riding just two days before his stroke. His favorite rides were along Highway 11 and the Blue Ridge Parkway in the nearby mountains, and he cherished his cycling friends as much as his cycles.

We would especially like to thank everyone at Rosemond Living Center for the unmatched attention, care, and love they gave our father over the last two years. Please know that your care made all the difference in his last years of life - he loved you all. Thank you all so very much.

Memorials may be made to Three & Twenty Fire Station, c/o Treasurer: Glenn Holliday, 311 Watson Road, Easley, SC 29642 or to Three & Twenty Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1032, Easley, SC 29641.

The family will receive friends at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m. Thursday.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown with the Rev. Kenneth Bates officiating.

The graveside service and burial will be private.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, which is assisting the family.