Jerry Neal Garner

Jerry retired from IBM as a Safety Engineer, served in the National Guard, was a Mason, a member and officer of NIOSH, and owner of North State Associates, a training and consulting business. Jerry loved to spend time with his family, to travel and especially loved time at the beach.

Jerry is survived by his wife Lanette Garner; daughter, Aimee Garner Johnson and husband Doug, their children, Cameron Griffin, Cody and Hunter Johnson; son, Ryan Garner and wife Tat, their child, Olivia Garner; niece Robin Crapps and husband Ronnie, and children Kadee & Samee.

He is predeceased by his parents Walter Grover Garner and Lou Willie Lewis; sister and brother-in-law, Billie and Bob Bowers; and siblings Terry, Mikey and Ricky Lewis.

A visitation for Jerry will be held Tuesday, June 25, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:45 PM at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh. A funeral service will follow at 1:00 PM. The graveside service will follow at Montlawn Memorial Park, 2911 S. Wilmington St, Raleigh.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society's Lung Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741.

A walk with my Dad….

Memories shared for your 75th year celebration!

My memories don’t start here Dad, but I bet yours do…

I came into this world crying nonstop Boo Hoo!

I have heard tales of colic and 2-hour tapes of me crying too.

But Crown Royal on my pacifier was that really you?

Sharing chicken pox with me must have been a highlight!!

Thankfully, I don’t remember that either, but bet you do, am I right?

Our memories are shared from the time I learned to ride a bike.

My freedom was expanded as I rode out of sight.

Remember our first pet was a rabbit? Fluffy by name

An escape artist, you spent time chasing many mornings just the same.

One day as you scooped him up to return him to his cage.

He peed down your leg, and I thought you would rage.

The days of discipline came with a belt crack

Or the signature whistle that meant get home now or come right back.

If not you would receive the dreaded “BIGMAC”

Remember Dad, you’d pick us up on Friday in the White Pontiac

Where we played Dukes of Hazzard with Hot Wheels on the floorboard in the back?

While playing once Ryan said “Uh oh watch out for the cops”

You slammed on the brakes and nearly came to a full stop.

Remember the summer beach trips on a tight budget?

Bird poop seashells and great tans…

Racing each other to see who was fastest on sand?

Glass in my foot you dug out with a knife

Mentally scarring me for the rest of my life.

Wit, athleticism, a love of chocolate and competitiveness too

These are all gifts we “Garnered” from you!!!

Girls don’t play football, Ryan would say

You taught me a perfect spiral to throw anyway

Car rides to Columbia who could deny…

Each Christmas was fun by Ryan’s throat always dry

Those trips brought family together for holiday fun.

Aunt Billie’s pink fluff was my favorite bar none.

Dad, I remember you always dressed to a T….

Your jeans and shirts starched so heavily

Ryan and I would share the task near and dear to our heart

Pulling the legs of your jeans and arms of your shirts apart.

You are notorious for falling asleep in your chair

Head back, mouth open - sucking in air.

Giggles and mischief would surely ensue

As we let you sleep, you were probably due.

As I aged and had a child of my own

You became a papa and now you must own

That day at the beach, I caught you two

Enjoying Nu Grape and Krispy Kreme too!!!

Remember I hopped on a bike and rode to the sound

Leaving you to deal with the new sugar high that Cameron had found.

Dancing with you at my wedding dad we made memories new

We even got a do over because I’ve had two.

Through marriage, more grandchildren, Hunter and Cody, were added to our crew.

“The boys,” we call them, then out of the blue

Comes Olivia to break the all-boy tradition

One of my favorite moments was watching you first hold this new addition!

In wrap up Dad on your 75th this flood of moments we’ve shared, came to me quick

But the story would be quite incomplete…

If I failed to mention one last feat

It was your greatest moment in our minds without a doubt!

You may wish to remember this differently, but I simply must spout…

Remember the infamous handlebar flip

On Ryan’s bike we just can’t forget?

Your dismount while showing off was quite legit!

The look on your face threw us into a laughing fit!

Dad every year brings an opportunity to create new memories! We are so thankful to share your 75th Birthday Celebration with you! I hope you enjoyed this walk down memory lane!

Love Always and Forever,

Aimee