Olen B. Garrison

Olen Branford Garrison
Clemson


Olen Branford (O.B.) Garrison, 99, of Clemson died January 24, 2010.

Son of the late Fairy Belle Birt and Thomas Branford Garrison and step-son of Edward Hubbard Grayson, Olen was born in Columbia and grew up in Denmark, SC. He graduated salutatorian from Denmark High School in 1929 and received a B.S. degree in horticulture from Clemson College in 1933. While a student at Clemson, Olen was a charter member of Blue Key National Honor Society, Scabbard and Blade and the Men's Glee Club. He also served on the "Y" Council and "Y" Cabinet. He was a member of Palmetto Literary Society, Alpha Zeta, Horticulture Club, Chief Commencement Marshall, and the Central Dance Committee. His senior year, Olen served as Cadet Major, Chairman of the Senior Disciplinary Council and President of the Senior Class.

In 1934 and 1939, he earned masters and doctorate degrees in horticulture from Louisiana State University and Cornell University. After receiving his Ph.D. from Cornell, Olen accepted his first position with the Clemson faculty as assistant horticulturist of the Edisto Experiment Station in Blackville, S.C.

During World War II, Olen served his country as an officer in the 540th Combat Engineers, Fifth Army. He received the Silver Star for "gallantry in action" during the invasion of Sicily in 1943. After completing his overseas duty, Olen continued training troops near Tallahassee, FL in amphibious landing techniques for the Pacific Theater. In 1945, he was promoted to Major and released from active duty to the Reserves.

While on the faculty of Clemson University, Olen oversaw numerous agricultural research projects which made a significant impact on the agricultural economy of South Carolina. His work resulted in breakthroughs in disease resistant strains of sweet potatoes and peaches. For his efforts, Olen was named "The Busiest Man in S.C. Agriculture." In the mid-1950's, he transplanted an unwanted patch of camellia bushes from the edge of Cemetery Hill on the Clemson campus to their current resting place beginning a collection of ornamental plants which is now the South Carolina Botanical Garden. During his 25 year tenure as Director of the S.C. Agricultural Experiment Stations, Olen was responsible for all agricultural research in South Carolina and the management of all land controlled by Clemson. As a result, his served as the chief negotiator between Clemson and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during the planning of Lake Hartwell and placement of the levies which resulted in the preservation of the acreage that is today Memorial Stadium (Death Valley) and the athletic complex. Throughout his career, he served on numerous academic and governing boards including the S.C. Governor's Nuclear Energy Committee and the Governor's Agricultural Commission. On June 30, 1975, Olen retired from Clemson University as Professor Emeritus and Director Emeritus of the S.C. Agricultural Experiment Stations.

After retirement, his family honored he and his wife Dorothy by placing a bench in the S.C. Botanical Garden. Throughout his retirement years, Olen loved golf and fishing with his friends. He enjoyed traveling throughout North America with his wife. He remained a faithful member of IPTAY throughout his life and was as fervent supporter of Clemson athletic teams.

Olen was an active member of Clemson First Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and enjoyed singing in the choir. He was also a member of the Kiwanis Club, Rotary, the Clemson Fellowship Club and Tiger Brotherhood.

He is predeceased by his beloved wife Dorothy of 69 years. He is survived by his family including 3 daughters: Doralynn Anderson (Robert) of Chattanooga, Tenn., Margaret Kirby (Will) of Greenville, S.C., and Jean Swanson (Kirk) of Marietta, GA.; 1 nephew Dave Merry (Beverly) of Easley, SC; 7 grandchildren: Amie Glenn Goodwin (Dwayne) of Easley, S.C., Howard Anderson (Megan) of Ashburn, VA., Dee Kirby (Gail) of Greer, S.C., Gary Kirby (Heather) of Atlanta, GA., Julie Stancil (Jody) of Canton, GA, Mark Swanson of Marietta, GA, and John Swanson of Marietta, GA.; and 6 great-grandchildren: Kate, Emma, Riley Glenn and Macie Goodwin, Daniel and Anna Kirby, and Thomas Anderson; and his faithful dog Blossom.

After a burial at Woodland Cemetery (Cemetery Hill) on the Clemson campus at 10 a.m., a memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at the Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home, Central. The family will receive friends immediately following the memorial service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Clemson Fund and designated to the Clemson Corps or the Cemetery Hill Preservation Fund at P.O. Box 1889 Clemson, SC 29633; the First Baptist Church of Clemson at 397 College Ave. Clemson, SC 29631; or the Foothills Golden Retriever Rescue at P.O. Box 9077 Greenville, SC 29604.

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