Reuben Jed Garrison

Mr. Garrison, a longtime resident of Summerville Park, was born on July 27, 1924, in Lula, GA, the son of the late Rad N. Garrison and Irene Boling Garrison, and enjoyed growing up in this small rural town with his two brothers and sister. After graduating from Lula High School in 1940, he left to attend Berry College. After three years he volunteered to join the Army Air Force. He served in World War II as a radio operator and gunner on B-17s flying in 24 missions over England, France, and Germany. While on leave from the service, Jed returned to Rome to marry his “Berry sweetheart,” Louise Moon. After his discharge from the service in 1946, they moved to Knoxville where he attended the University of Tennessee, graduating in 1948.

Jed and Louise had been married for 67 years when she passed away in March of 2012. Together they had one daughter and two sons. Jed has enjoyed being the grandfather to three granddaughters and four grandsons, and has three great grandchildren. He worked at Georgia Kraft Co. as a Corporate Accountant, retiring after over 25 years. After retirement, he enjoyed many years as a volunteer at Floyd Medical Center. He also volunteered with the soup kitchen at First Baptist Church, and served as the treasurer for the Rome Clean Community for many years. He and Louise were faithful members of the Adult Fellowship Sunday School Class and the First United Methodist Church for over 50 years. They loved to travel together, visiting all 50 states as well as Canada, South America and Great Britain. During these travels they met and made many friends that still remain in touch.

Jed was an avid University of Tennessee fan. One of his favorite pastimes was watching the UT Women’s basketball team. He loved anything orange and wore the color often. He even drove a 1970 orange VW with a white pinstripe and a "Go Vols" tag on the back. His favorite soft drink was an orange Fanta.

Survivors include one son, Scott Lindsay Garrison (Sharon), Rome; one daughter, April Garrison Van Es (Jim), Rome; grandchildren, Katie Bourbeau (Chris), Jenna Marie Van Es, Michele Knowles (John), Chad Garrison (Jennifer), Andrew Garrison, Jay Shaner and Adam Shaner; and a sister, Genevieve Sanders, Gainesville. He was preceded in death by his oldest son, Michael Jed Garrison and his daughter-in-law, Brenda Atkins Garrison. He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Julian Garrison and Chris Garrison.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, April 8, 2014, at 11 a.m. at the Griffin Memorial Chapel of Daniel’s Funeral Home with the Rev Larry Caywood officiating. Interment was in Oaknoll Memorial Gardens with the Shanklin-Attaway Honor Guard of the American Legion in charge of graveside honors.

The family received friends at Daniel’s Funeral Home on Monday, April 7, 2014, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Rome-Floyd County Humane Society.

Daniel’s Funeral Home 4/6/14