Picture provided by co-workers for Spectrum

Tim was a great individual. I knew Tim through the context of Spectrum and during our years working together I could see he was a very bright, kind and polite person. I enjoyed working with Tim because of his contributions to our conversations. More than occasionally, I would go over to his desk where he as well as two other of our coworkers sat and ask each of them about their day or just  generally about current events. I truly cherished this time because looking back I can see how willing and ready Tim was to join the conversation. I remember Tim telling Hector, Kellee and myself stories about his childhood.
 
One day Tim recounted the time where a family member (uncle perhaps) was working at a watch repair shop and how as a child this relative would place a little drop of mercury (historically used as part of the watch making process) on his palm and throughout the day a young Tim would hold his palm up with the little bead and play with it, moving it back and forth between hands until it vanished (as a child it seemed a mystery to him). You could see that as Tim told these stories a small curl would slowly form into a smirk as he begin to relive these wonderful memories.  
 
This smirk is how I choose to remember Tim. I think a person's smile is a vital clue to understanding who they are, Tim is no exception. From talking to Tim you could get a glimpse of how much knowledge he possessed. He would add to our conversations different interesting facts about planes, history, science, you name it. Everyone here at Spectrum understood and regarded Tim as the individual you would go to have questions answered or to have an interesting conversation about chemistry. He will be missed deeply but I have solace knowing that he is no longer in pain. Thank you.


Tim's Mother and the children, Waunema, Tim and Larry

Tim and his sister Waunema, Earheart and brother Larry Garner

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Garner,

      I am deeply saddened by Tim's passing.  My heart goes out to both of you and the Garner family and pray that God may comfort you through these difficult times.  Tim will be greatly missed.  He was a good man who was sincere with people he interacted with.  Although Tim at times seemed to be reserved and quiet, he had a very diverse and broad character with knowledge of not only Chemistry but of life in general. 
   
  I met Tim about 13 years ago in 2006 through my employment at Spectrum and had the pleasure of working with him in the QC Lab for about 10 years.  In my initial years of working with Tim, I remember getting off in the later afternoon,  as we proceeded in closing up the laboratory doors for the night and having conversations on our way to our cars relieved from finishing a days work.  The walk to our cars was always pleasant.   Having more experience and patience, Tim would make sure his fellow co-workers were safe by waiting for all to leave as a group.  This was an example of how a small gesture made a memorable difference.  Tim cared about his co-workers and showed it through his effortless kindness and thoughtfulness.   
    
     I remember always confiding in Tim with different questions regarding the Job.  With that being said, Tim  was always available to help those who asked for his help in the lab.    We had many conversations on different topics while at work.  He shared about his trips home to Clovis in the Fresno area and was always mindful in bringing his coworkers freshly picked fruit such as oranges.  

     Tim had many achievements,  was a kind co-worker, and will be missed.   Rest in peace Tim. 

Sincerely, 

Rene Ontiveros
    

I first met Tim in August of 2006. The laboratory supervisor at the time introduced me to him as the in-house PhD chemist. Chemistry is not an easy field to learn, I was amazed and in awe of his accomplishment. When i found out it was in physical chemistry, the most difficult disciplines of all chemistry, I was a little intimidated.

When I would approach him, i always rehearsed in my head what i wanted to ask him because I did not want to loose his respect.

I quickly learned with a few interactions, Tim was the most kindest and humble person I have ever met. When I would talk to him, I quickly saw a good-hearted person.

One would think, with great accomplishments came great ego. But Tim was none of that. With his great accomplishment came great humility and willingness to share his knowledge with others. Tim cared about people.

Those first interactions with Tim set the foundation of how I would transition from a college environment to a professional environment. I understood that sharing knowledge and treating people as your equals was the only true noble way to conduct oneself.

Tim help set the foundation and promoted the idea that knowledge and humility should be valued. This gave way to laboratory were respect was the norm.

Tim was a shy person. He did not desire the limelight. It was not his style. Tim invested in people. He shared his knowledge for the joy of doing so. 

I can talk about how his knowledge help troubleshoot instruments, his knowledge was key in setting up some of complicated machines, how we refer to his guidance when no one else was able to get a very difficult analysis to work, or how his knowledge was crucial to address quality related customer complaints. But,I believe Tim’s greatest contribution was developing great chemist and developing great people through the sharing of his knowledge. 

I’ve been greatly honored to have known Tim for 13 years. I thank God that he was introduced into my life as a mentor and a friend. 

Hey man, I honestly don’t even know what to say. This is some pretty messed up shit. Thank you for all that you’ve taught me at your time here at Spectrum.  Seriously, you have added on to me as a person and a chemist and I am glad to have known you. My only regret is that I didn’t make more attempts to get to know you more as a person. You’ve always had a funny side that you seldom let out at work, and I’m sure that came out a lot more around your friends and family. 
 
We are all thinking about you here and we sincerely miss you. You should be proud of your life, man. A phD is no joke and that alone is a lifeworthy achievement. I will see you on the other side.  Take care.
 
Your friend,
Marc 

Dear Mary and Don Garner,
 
I first met Tim in August of 2006. The laboratory supervisor at the time introduced me to Tim as the in-house PhD chemist. Chemistry is not an easy field to learn, I was amazed and in awe of his accomplishment. When i found out it was in physical chemistry, the most difficult disciplines of all chemistry, I was a little intimidated.
 
When I would approach him, i always rehearsed in my head what i wanted to ask him because I did not want to seem dumb in his eyes and loose his respect.
 
What I quickly learned with a few interactions was that Tim is the most kindest and humble person I have ever met. When I would talk to him, I would quickly see the good hearted person.
 
One would think, with great accomplishments came great ego. But Tim was none of that. With his great accomplishment came great humility and willingness to share his knowledge with others. Tim cares about people.
 
Those first interactions with Tim set the foundation of how I would transition from a college environment to a professional environment. I understood that sharing knowledge and treating people as your equals was the only true noble way to conduct oneself.
 
Tim’s help set the foundation and promoted the idea that knowledge and humility should be valued. This gave way to laboratory were respect was the norm.
 
Tim was a shy person. He did not desire the limelight. It was Tim did was not his style. Tim invest in people. He shared his knowledge and experience just for the joy of doing so. 
 
I can talk about how his knowledge help troubleshoot instruments, his knowledge was key in setting up some of complicated machines, or his knowledge was crucial to address quality related customer complaints, but I believe his Tim’s greatest contribution was to help develop great chemist and help develop great people.
 
I have been greatly honored to have known Tim for 13 years. I thank God that he was introduced into my life as a mentor and a friend. 
 
Sincerely,
Adan R Herna

To whom this may concern, 
 
I am sorry for your loss of Tim. Tim was a great individual. I knew Tim through the context of Spectrum and during our years working together I could see he was a very bright, kind and polite person. I enjoyed working with Tim because of his contributions to our conversations. More than occasionally, I would go over to his desk where he as well as two other of our coworkers sat and ask each of them about their day or just  generally about current events. I truly cherished this time because looking back I can see how willing and ready Tim was willing to join the conversations. I remember Tim telling Hector, Kellee and myself stories about his childhood.
 
One day Tim recounted the time where a family member (uncle perhaps) was working at a watch repair shop and how as a child his uncle would place a little drop of mercury (historically used as part of the watch making process) on his palm and throughout the day Tim would hold his palm up with the little bead and play with it, moving it back and forth between hands until it vanished (as a child it seemed a mystery to him). You could see that as Tim told these stories a small curl would slowly form into a smirk as he begin to relive these wonderful memories.  
 
From talking to Tim you could get a glimpse of how much knowledge he possessed. He would add to our conversations different interesting facts about planes, history, science, you name it. Everyone here at Spectrum understood and regarded Tim as a person that you would go to have questions answered or to have an interesting conversation about chemistry. He will be missed deeply but I have solace knowing that he is no longer in pain. Thank you.  
 
Sincerely,
 
Ruben Aguilar
Chemist I
Spectrum Chemical Mfg. Corp.
14422 S. San Pedro St. Gardena CA 90248 
1-310-516-8000 ext 
raguilar@spectrumchemical.com
www.SpectrumChemical.com







OBITUARY

Timothy J. Garner PhD

13 November, 1963 – 19 November, 2019

Boice Funeral Home

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Updates

Services