Homer Neal Garner, Jr.

Homer Neal Garner, Jr., 87, of Paris, passed away Sunday, April 16, 2017 at Baylor University Medical Center. Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 pm, Saturday, April 22, 2017, at Bright-Holland Funeral Home with Pastor Sam Eaton officiating. Burial will be made in Pleasant Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 pm, Friday at the funeral home. Mr. Garner was born June 9, 1929 in Shawnee, OK to Homer Neal Garner, Sr. and Betsy Garner. He spent most of his life growing up in Shreveport, LA where he went to Byrd High School. Upon graduation, he began his minor league baseball and basketball career in 1947 and played for The House of David until 1956. He taught school and coached in Dallas for over 30 years until his retirement in 1997. He married Daigone Zidermanis, on June 2, 1962, at the Life Temple Church in Dallas, having 55 years of family and memories. He was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife, Daigone; children, Rudite Peel & husband Carl of Honey Grove, Arija Priest & husband Jeff of Canton, Homer Garner, III & wife Kristi of Paris, John-Edward Garner & wife Melissa of Newton, KS and Daiga Stroud & husband Noah of Bastrop; 9 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Doris and Lucille; his mother-in-law, Helga Zidermanis, along with numerous nieces, nephews and a host of friends. Casket bearers will be Andrew Dodson, Carl Peel, Mel Teafatiller, Grady Priest, Jeff Priest and Shane Zidermanis. As an alternative to usual floral memorials, the family suggests memorials be given to the North Lamar Education Foundation, P.O. Box 1972, Paris, TX 75461 or call 903-669-0115.