Malcolm Garner Sr.

Born May 5, 1923 to Kirby and Maude Garner in Arcadia, FL, he was a true member of the “Greatest Generation”. Despite spending his Junior year working for his father to keep the family ranch operating, he graduated from De Sota County High School with honors, president of the Future Farmers of America club, and the proud Champion of the South Florida Boxing Conference in 1941.

Pearl Harbor changed all of his plans. He volunteered for the Marine Corps and was soon involved in the Pacific Campaign, participating in the Tarawa, Saipan, and Tinian landings. He received two Purple Hearts as well as a Presidential Unit Citation during that time. Finding life at the University of Florida too “lame” he soon reenlisted in the Marines and was in combat again in Korea at the Incheon landing and the fight back from the Chosin reservoir. Having spent most of fourteen years in the Far East, he decided to transfer to the U.S. Air Force, for they had promised an England posting, which was always his wish. There he met his wife Jennifer, and they were to spend the next fifty-five years together.

Since retiring, Grampi attended all of his grand children’s sporting and school events. He was known by the crowd for his cheerful screaming, “Yabba-dabba-doo!” after every point scored. He enjoyed trips to England visiting all of the relatives and was always sure to make everyone laugh.

Preceded in death by all of his siblings and his son James, he left behind to treasure his memory and hours of laughter: his wife, Jennifer; his son Mac Jr., daughters Eva, Jennie, and Lori, grandchildren Jack, Alyssa, Mitch, Jamie, Chris, Joe, Beth, Kara, Gwen, Eve, Davie, and thirteen great grand children. Semper Fi Gramps.

A graveside service, with military honors, will be conducted at 1:00 PM Monday, May 5, 2014 at Hampton Veterans Memorial Gardens, 155 Butler Farm Road, Hampton, VA 23666.

Friends are encouraged to visit www.parklawn-woodfh.com to share memories and words of condolence with the family.

Arrangements are under the direction of Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home, 2551 N. Armistead Avenue, Hampton, Virginia.