Funeral service for John L. Garrison, 74, will be Thursday, April 18, 2024 at 3:00 PM at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial will be in Forrest Chapel Methodist Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, April 18, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Peck Funeral Home. Ron Jacobs will be officiating.
Mr. Garrison passed away on Monday, April 15, 2024 at his residence. John L. Garrison was born the fifth of six children, in Morgan County, on May 15,1949, to Irvin and Hattie Smallwood Garrison. Born to a farmer, John began a difficult life as a share-cropper’s son. Education came second to raising cotton, potatoes and corn. John discovered an early passion for cooking through his mother and only sister, Faye. This would later become his calling both in and out of the service. At the height of the Vietnam War, he enlisted and saw duty overseas with the 1st and 7th Air Cav.
During his tour of duty in Vietnam, he was wounded rescuing a fellow soldier, injured in a mine field. He refused the Purple Heart as he didn’t consider his injury worthy of this prestious medal. John saw action during the Tet Offensive losing most of the company to enemy fire. He was one of only five men to survive one of the deadliest battles in Vietnam becoming, at only 19 years of age, “the old man” as the new recuits called him. John was promoted to Buck Sergeant after only 3 months of combat. He was an RTO “Radio Transmitting Operator” and earned a National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and a Combat Infantry Badge. He was also awarded the Bronze Star. John earned the title of Sharpshooter due to his proficiency with the M16 and M60. He retired after 25 years of service.
John married Gloria Jacobs when they met at the Corral Restaurant and together raised three sons on a small farm on Forrest Chapel Road, West of Hartselle. He found work with Keyes Offshore in 1983 and became Chief Steward, a position he held for over 20 years. He and his wife celebrated 45 years of marriage last October and John would have turned 75 in May. He was baptized and loved watching Gary Bradley every Sunday and read his Bible often.
He leaves behind to honor his memory, his Wife of 45 years – Gloria Jacobs Garrison and three Sons – John Lee Garrison (Natoshia), Bobby James Garrison and Gerald Matthew Garrison. He also leaves behind four grandsons, Clayton Tucker, Tavish Garrison, Janzen McBride and Jimmie Spurgeon, three granddaughters, Renaee Garrison, Rose Marie Garrison and Bryleigh Anne Nicole Garrison. He leaves to his memory, two great grandchildren, Owen Hodgson and Evelyn Mae Garrison, a Brother – Larry Garrison (Linda), a Sister – Faye Yeager (Gerald), Sisters-in law – Shirley Garrison, Diane DeBell, Evelyn Garrison and Barbara Eddy, Brothers- in-law- Ronald Jacobs (Phala), and Ralph Jacobs, Jr., his Mother-in-law, Romilda Jacobs
and a large number of nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors.
Nephews and brothers-in-law will be pallbearers Gerald M. Garrison, John Lee Garrison, Janzen McBride, Joe Garrison, Clayton Tucker, Tavish Garrison.
Peck Funeral Home
