On October 30, 2021, Thomas Virgil “Papa” Garrison, 76, passed away with his loving family by his side at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital. He was born to the late Virgil Edwin and Florence Catherine Garrison in a small cabin in Jerseyville, IL in 1945. He played football in high school and from there he joined the Navy and served over 21 years. While serving in the Vietnam War, he was stationed in the Philippines where he met the love of his life, Norma and they married in June of 1970. They were blessed with 3 beautiful daughters and finally settled in Virginia Beach, VA. He enjoyed reading, Nascar racing, gardening and fixing things. He would do anything to help out a friend or a neighbor. He was greatly loved and will be missed forever, but never forgotten. He will be in our hearts and souls forever!!
Tom is survived by his wife of 51 years, Norma N. Garrison; daughters, Beverly Ann Gerling (fiancé, Tom); Charlene Linn Garrison (partner, Angela) and Mariah Linn Garrison; granddaughters, Larissa Garrison, Anna Garrison, Eileen Alig and Jennifer Mallore (husband, Jeremy); grandson, Jeremy Gerling; great-grandchildren, Cali Billingsley, Ethan Flocker and Jayce Mallore; brothers, Edwin Joseph Garrison of Sparks, NV, Paul Henry Garrison of St. Louis, MO and Robert David Garrison of Godfrey, IL and his sister, Barbara Ann Cain of Jerseyville, IL. Tom is predeceased by his daughter, Anna Lissa Garrison and Sister, Rose Mary Garrison.
There will be a visitation on Sunday, November 7, 2021 from 4-6 pm at Rosewood-Kellum Funeral Home at 601 N. Witchduck Rd., Virginia Beach, VA 23462 and a funeral mass at 10 am on Monday, November 8, 2021 at St. Gregory’s Catholic Church at 5345 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA 23462. Burial and reception will follow at Rosewood. Please visit www.KellumFuneralHome.com to leave a message of condolence for the family.