James Earl Garner Jr.

Born in Bakersfield

February 27, 1941 ~ April 13, 2020

It was a quiet Monday afternoon when James Earl Garner, at 79, peacefully fell asleep in death with his caregivers, wife Veda and daughter Christina by his side. His parents, Earl Garner Sr. and Velma Garner, along with his older sister Donna Simone preceded him in death. His younger sister Reeca Hearn is still living in Tennessee and she says that she misses his voice and his sweet smile more than anything. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Veda Louise, his son Matthew J. Garner and wife Lisa, daughter Christina L. Garner and his grandchildren Elise, Madison, Nicholas and his great grandson Landon and several nieces and nephews and their families. James was a man of few words when it came to expressing his feelings for the members of his family but that didn’t mean that he didn’t love them deeply and he showed his feelings in many ways especially toward the little ones.

James was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses August 1, 1974 in Oakland, California. He enjoyed going to the meetings and conventions where he got to learn more about Jehovah God and His new world of peace and happiness. While there he loved to see old friends. He got to attend the Zoom hosted Special Talk and the Memorial of Christ death April 7, 2020, just days later he went to sleep in death, April 13 at home with his family by his side. He farmed cotton with his dad in Dustin Acres, California before starting his career at Tosco Oil Refinery and finally finished his career as a Dept Foreman at the Elk Hills Naval Oil Reserve.James loved airplanes. He had his private pilot's license, he built and flew remote control airplanes, and it was always amazing to watch the precision of his work on those planes. He enjoyed traveling to the U.S and U.K. Bethels, along with trips to Hawaii and a cruise to Alaska. Later in life he treasured the yearly trips with his son Matthew and Matthew’s father-in-law Michael. They would spend time in the woods camping, shooting and fishing. He especially enjoyed the trips to Eagle Lake for the excellent trout fishing. He was a hard working man who wasn't one to remain still once he retired. He loved to tinker in his garage and could regularly be found organizing and reorganizing things while talking with our neighbors, Raymond and Hope. He also loved to be outside in the backyard soaking up the sun with his beloved dog Gypsy. James enjoyed life and people. He had a cute sense of humor ad he made up jokes because he enjoyed making people laugh and some of them were actually funny. Jesus said at John 5:28 that all those in memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out. We look forward to the day when James will be resurrected in the coming paradise earth and we can enjoy his sweet nature and he can make us laugh again.

JOHN 5:28

Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out.

~ Our Family would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for all of the prayers, texts, calls, cards, flowers and food from our precious spiritual family.