1937
John
2019
John Garner
September 12, 1937 — February 27, 2019
Memorial 11am; Tues, March 5th at Salem Alliance Church
John Garner Eulogy
John Vincent Garner was born December 19, 1937 in Salem, Oregon to John and Lucille Garner. He was raised by his grandparents, Glen and Mae Southwick, and he adopted them when he was 18.
He attended Mountain View School and was a member of the first graduating class of North Salem High School. He was proud that he suggested “Saxons” as the mascot for new high school that opened in Salem.
John loved to play baseball. He played for North Salem High School, Western Oregon State College, and the American Legion earning several player awards. He became a loyal supporter of the Beavers and was especially proud of their baseball championships. One time, while wearing his traditional Oregon State baseball hat during football season, a woman told him he was wearing the wrong hat. “Ma’am,” he replied, “this is a baseball hat not a football hat and last I checked, we were number one in the nation.” He loved to tell that story with a grin on his face and a twinkle in his eye.
He grew up working on his grandpa’s farm; farming was a part of his life from an early age. He leased property to farm in several parts of West Salem. He raised wheat, oats, plumbs, and cheries and the occasional sheep and race horse. He also drove a log truck and sold heating oil part time. In 1992, as he was delivering Cheries to Oregon Cherry Growers, one of the managers asked him to come and drive for them. He accepted and worked for them for 13 years, transitioning out of farming as his primary occupation.
In 1972 he built the family home on the 240 acres of land he farmed, the site of the original family homestead. He is the 5th generation of his family to live in this same place.
John had a deep faith in Jesus Christ. How he lived his life reflected his love for the risen Savior. John’s love for family, friends, and others was a reflection of God’s love. His life was characterized by giving and forgiving. John simply loved God, and loved people.
Every day he told Pam that she is the love of his life.
John is survived by his wife of 42 years, Pam Garner; his sister, Barbara Houser and husband John; his four children - Craig and wife Kim, Dianna, Rick and wife Melissa, and Nick. He has 7 grandchildren.
John Garner Eulogy
John Vincent Garner was born December 19, 1937 in Salem, Oregon to John and Lucille Garner. He was raised by his grandparents, Glen and Mae Southwick, and he adopted them when he was 18.
He attended Mountain View School and was a member of the first graduating class of North Salem High School. He was proud that he suggested “Saxons” as the mascot for new high school that opened in Salem.
John loved to play baseball. He played for North Salem High School, Western Oregon State College, and the American Legion earning several player awards. He became a loyal supporter of the Beavers and was especially proud of their baseball championships. One time, while wearing his traditional Oregon State baseball hat during football season, a woman told him he was wearing the wrong hat. “Ma’am,” he replied, “this is a baseball hat not a football hat and last I checked, we were number one in the nation.” He loved to tell that story with a grin on his face and a twinkle in his eye.
He grew up working on his grandpa’s farm; farming was a part of his life from an early age. He leased property to farm in several parts of West Salem. He raised wheat, oats, plumbs, and cheries and the occasional sheep and race horse. He also drove a log truck and sold heating oil part time. In 1992, as he was delivering Cheries to Oregon Cherry Growers, one of the managers asked him to come and drive for them. He accepted and worked for them for 13 years, transitioning out of farming as his primary occupation.
In 1972 he built the family home on the 240 acres of land he farmed, the site of the original family homestead. He is the 5th generation of his family to live in this same place.
John had a deep faith in Jesus Christ. How he lived his life reflected his love for the risen Savior. John’s love for family, friends, and others was a reflection of God’s love. His life was characterized by giving and forgiving. John simply loved God, and loved people.
Every day he told Pam that she is the love of his life.
John is survived by his wife of 42 years, Pam Garner; his sister, Barbara Houser and husband John; his four children - Craig and wife Kim, Dianna, Rick and wife Melissa, and Nick. He has 7 grandchildren.
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