Gary Garison

A lifetime of service and curiosity came to a peaceful conclusion on Sunday, May 28th, with the passing of Dr. Gary Garison. Having accumulated an adventure-filled 86 years on this earth, he took his leave of us, surrounded by his wife of 59 years and his four children.

Born on July 9th, 1936, he began life in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. After attending high school, he graduated from Franklin & Marshall College in 1958. Working throughout, he attained his medical degree from Temple University in 1962. He was lucky enough to have met his wife, at the time a nursing student, during his medical internship. Despite a few fondly memorable hiccups on their first date, she took a chance on a second date. They were married during his first year of naval sea duty.

After relocating to Athens, Georgia, during his second year of sea duty, they traveled further southeast to Augusta, Georgia, where he completed his two-year residency at The Medical College of Georgia. They then turned north once more for Dr. Garison to complete his cardiac fellowship at the University of Louisville, during which he discovered his passion for teaching others. A chance pass through Fayetteville on the way to a medical conference led to settling permanently and building a life.

That life was defined by medicine and an innate joy found in helping people. Despite being the least likely to bring them up, he accumulated an impressive set of professional accolades. At one time serving as both the Chief of Medicine at Cape Fear Valley Hospital and on the Cumberland County Hospital System’s Board of Trustees, he practiced cardiology and internal medicine privately from 1970 until 2007 as Fayetteville’s first cardiac specialist. Multiple attempts to retire were as short-lived as the calling to serve others was strong. From 2007 until January 2023 he practiced general medicine at a family care clinic, not yet content to take a step back from his lifelong profession. Ever dedicated to his patients, he was known to make house calls and give out his personal cell phone number. Practicing into his 86th year was a point of pride, for which he was incredibly thankful.

Dr. Garison was preceded in death by his mother, Mary, his father, Peter, and four siblings: Robert, Sarah, Emeline, and Betty. He is survived by his younger brother, Edward. His absence is felt by a laundry list of family members, the foremost of whom is his wife, Iris. He is missed by his four children, Gary, Jody, Sean, and Jenny, as well as their significant others Stephanie, Cherish, Connie, and Gene. Grateful for the joy he brought to their lives are his grandchildren, Madison and her husband Brett, Caitlin, Aidan, Megan, Cameron, Alix, and Ian. Dr. Garison was delighted to have met his first great-grandchild, Mason.

Beyond the biographical, encapsulating who he was is a more difficult thing. Capturing a person in words is nothing short of a Herculean challenge - a reference he would have soundly approved of. Giving it your best anyways is something he would have also approved of.

Dr. Garison loved gardening, history, and animals - dogs and horses especially. He championed education and hard work, encouraging everyone around him to better themselves in whatever path they chose. He was always the first to laugh at a quick joke or offer his help. He had an infamous sweet tooth; at almost all times, there were candy or sweets within 5 feet of him. To the delight of everyone, he was in the habit of sharing. Twizzlers were a particular favorite.

Perhaps most to the point, he loved his family, friends, and patients fiercely. He left the world a better place for having been in it, a commitment he challenged everyone to meet.

Visitation will be held at 10:30AM at Reeves Funeral Home in Hope Mills, with services to follow at 11:30AM. A private burial will take place after services conclude.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or an animal rescue charity of your choosing.