James Barrett Garrison

James Barrett Garrison, Sr. departed this life on March 29, 2008. He was born in Austin, Tx. on August 7, 1928 to James A. and Florine Garrison. He grew up in Travis Heights and attended Pease Elementary, Allen Middle School and Austin High School. His father was in the Navy and the family moved during that time and so Barrett graduated from Princeton High School in New Jersey. He was living in Vienna, Austria, where his father was stationed during the war, when he met and married Ann Burt. They were married on June 18, 1947 and moved to Austin where he attended the University of Texas and graduated with a business degree in 1950. He then accepted a position with Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. and worked in Austin until 1960, when he did a 2-year stint at the home office in New York City. He and Ann were anxious to return to Austin and were thrilled when he was offered the District Manager's position in the Austin agency. He retired from Metlife with 44 years of service. Barrett was a member of the downtown Lion's Club for 30+ years. He served on the board of the Austin Parks and Recreation Dept. for many years, following in the footsteps of his father, James A. Garrison, the 1st director of the Austin Recreation Dept., and for whom the 40-acre park in South Austin is named. He was a member of the local CLU and Life Underwriters Assoc. He and Ann were long-time members of Westwood Country Club where he played tennis with many friends and for several years played every Wed. and Sat. with a group of his buddies. He was a founding member at St. Mark's Episcopal Church and later joined The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. Barrett loved to reminisce about memories of his childhood and always told stories of his adventures with his many friends. It was a fact that he had many life-long friends, many who became known as "the bridge club". He loved to hunt, play tennis, watch football or any sport on TV, and be surrounded by his wife, kids and grandkids. He especially loved being at the lake house at Lake Buchanan where all of the family would gather for holidays. He is predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Ann, his parents, and his only sibling Gail O'Rourke. He is survived by his sons, Jim and wife Candy, of Spicewood, TX, Craig, of Atlanta, GA, Bruce and wife Karen, of Austin; his grandchildren, Barrett and his wife Mary Jo, Drew, Grant, Darren, Ann Marie, Greg and Maggie; his great-grandchildren, Holten and Gage. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Col. James K. O'Rourke and niece Gratia Barnett. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer's Assoc. A special thanks to Barton Hills Assisted Living, Heavenly Caregivers and Angel Heart Hospice. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 2nd at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, April 3, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd.