Douglas Lee Garrison

Doug was born during the Great Depression. He once said, “I suppose we were poor, but no one else I knew had any money either, so I didn’t notice.” Fred Garrison, his father, was a farmer, dairyman and ranch foreman. From him, Doug learned an ethic of hard work, thrift, resourcefulness and a gentle loving humor. In addition to being a ranch wife, his mother, Ivadelle, became a teacher and amateur archeologist and historian. She passed to her son a love of horses and history, evidenced by the Old West artifacts like spurs, chaps and branding irons on display at Doug’s home.

Doug graduated from Tranquillity High School, and Cal Poly (SLO) before marrying Elma. He worked for the the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture in the soil conservation service and then was drafted into the Army, serving two years in the Army Corp of Engineers between the Korean and Vietnam wars. He was stationed for six months in Greenland, using his training to develop methods of building landing strips on glacial ice.

Returning to the San Joaquin Valley, he farmed vineyard and cotton for several years near Caruthers. During this time his son, Jim, and daughter, Patricia, were born; and Elma completed her training as a school teacher. In 1967 the family moved to Fresno, and later adopted Bob and Mark.

After farming, Doug briefly sold cars, and then life insurance, before settling into a long career in farm finance. He was manager of the Grange Credit Union for 15 years, and then a loan officer at Kerman State Bank from 1986 until his retirement in 2005.

In 1978 Elma died of breast cancer, a loss that left Doug forever shaken. The following year Douglas married Celia Lowe (Elma’s cousin). Their 38 year marriage was spent in Fresno and then on the Lowe family ranch in Raisin City. Celia died in 2007 after a long struggle with breast cancer. Following Celia’s death Doug moved into Fresno near his daughter.

Douglas was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Ivadelle Garrison; wives, Elma Garrison and Celia Garrison; and brother, Vernon Garrison. He is survived by sister, Nancy Damm; children, Jim, Patricia, Bob and Mark; 12 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren (and counting) as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and in-laws.

Doug’s interests over the years have included camping, fishing, gardening, and “tinkering.” His shop, where he spent many hours fixing and creating, was well equipped with tools, salvaged materials, and historical memorabilia, all neatly arranged for ease of use. His latest projects were windchimes and rustic board signs for Trish to paint. His patio was surrounded by Christmas cactus, all started from a single plant decades ago.

Doug found comfort, strength and guidance in his faith. He was faithfully committed to the Caruthers United Methodist Church. Doug had calm quiet strength, exhibited friendly loving helpfulness; and demonstrated the spiritual fruits of kindness and goodness.