WATKINSVILLE – George Arthur Garrison, 72, passed away Sunday, September 18, 2016, peacefully at his residence surrounded by his family.
He was born April 28, 1944 in Athens, the son of the late Jack Cleveland Garrison and Felecia Tolbert Garrison. He was preceded in death by a brother, Fredrick Paul Garrison.
He met his wife, Catherine “Kitty” Elizabeth Smith, in 1964, while serving in the United States Navy in Jacksonville, Fla. They were married on June 5, 1965, in Folkston, Ga. After getting married, they made their home in Jacksonville, Fla. before moving back to Athens, where they raised their two daughters, Tracy and Tara.
George began his career in law enforcement in 1970 as a patrolman with Athens Police Department. He later became Lieutenant of the Drug Task Force. He was very passionate about his career. He was honored along with his team with an award from President Ronald Reagan in 1982. When he retired in 1997, he was Captain of the Athens-Clarke County Drug Task Force of Northeast Georgia.
He was a member of Prince Avenue Baptist Church. George loved football and always cheered on his Georgia Bulldogs. He was loved and respected by many. He loved spending time with family, especially his grandchildren. They were the highlight of his life.
Survivors include his loving wife of 51 years, Kitty Garrison,; two daughters and two sons-in-law, Tracy and Dale Williford, Watkinsville, and Tara and Shane Hix, Danielsville; six grandchildren, Ashley McGhee (her husband Richard McGhee), Joshua Shelton, Tatum Hix, Grayson Hix, Kylee Williford and George Williford; two great-grandchildren, Ruston McGhee and Jaxton McGhee; two brothers, Herbert Cleveland Garrison, Springfield, La. and Luther William Garrison, Maysville; and many, many nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life Services will be held at Lord & Stephens West Chapel, Thursday, September 22, at 1 p.m., with Chaplain Jacqueline Johnson officiating. Interment will follow at Oconee Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Shane Hix, Dale Williford, Joshua Shelton, Patrick Smith, Kyle Garrison, Kelly Garrison, and Mike Smith. Honorary pallbearers will be Grayson Hix and George Williford. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, September 21, at the funeral home.
Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, West, is in charge of arrangements.
www.lordandstephens.com