Gary R. Garrison

Gary Garrison was a man of many trades, from auctioneer to process server, from repo man to pawnbroker and entrepreneur. He could make a flaming hot pot of chili for the annual Exchange Club Chili Cookoff or fry up donuts on Sunday mornings for the youngsters at church. Gary loved life and counted on his family to join him on all of his adventures. There was sure to be a tasty meal involved. Everyone who knew Gary has a story … Gary Ray Garrison’s story began on Saturday, Aug. 29, 1942, in Clinton, Okla., and came to a close on Sunday, June 18, 2023, at his home in Muskogee. He was 80 years old. Gary’s parents were Sidney Andrew Garrison and Mary Laverne Clifton Garrison. He was the sixth of eight children. His parents, his sisters, Veda Jones and Nancy Stone, and brother, Jack Garrison, preceded him in death. Gary graduated from Muskogee Central High School in 1961. He attended Northeastern State College in Tahlequah, establishing Gary’s Jewelry and Loan while still a student there. He graduated from the University of Indiana School of Auctioneering. Gary married Linda Carpenter Garrison on May 25, 1979, at First Baptist Church of Muskogee in a triple wedding ceremony with couples Kenny and Alice Ash and Barry and Marilyn Whitten. After his father’s retirement, Gary owned Sid’s Jewelry and Loan until the late 1970s. He owned Garrison Auction Co., Repo Depot, United Processing Services and United Recovery. Until recently, he worked at FirstStar Bank in Fort Gibson in the bad debts department. Gary traveled Europe as an auctioneer, even conducting some auctions for Christie’s Auction House. He sold all of the Kress stores in the nation, and sold just about anything else you could think of during his lifetime. He loved hunting, fishing and time at the lake with family. Gary was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church and New Life Sunday School class. He was on the kitchen committee at St. Paul, preparing special treats, church dinners and major meals for the church. He also was a member of Ducks Unlimited, was a Shriner and Mason. He auctioneered for Ducks Unlimited, Education Foundation of Muskogee, Kelly B. Todd, Friends of Honor Heights, banner auctions for Muskogee Parks and Recreation Department, and many other groups. All his sister had to do was ask. Gary is survived by his wife, Linda Garrison; children, Gary A. Garrison (Karla) of Rockwall, Texas, Rebecca McCoy (Chris) of Tulsa, Robert Garrison (Jennifer) of Birmingham, Ala., Clinton Carpenter (Melody) of Muskogee, and Shelly Davies (Doyle) of Poteau ;grandchildren: Jessica Findley (Sean) of Muskogee, Kelci Crandall (James) of Sullivan, Ind., Racheal Reed (Barrett) of Baton Rouge, La., Brookelyn Carpenter of Muskogee, Jordan Garrison (Mikayla) of Austin, Texas, Kaitlyn Garrison of Plano, Texas, and Caleb, Isaiah and Bridget McCoy of Tulsa; great-grandchildren: Sean Tyler Findley, Ava Bias and Harley Carpenter, all of Muskogee, and Jane Garrison of Austin, Texas. He is survived by sisters, Mary Jean Willhite (Jerry) of Tulsa and Glenda Broome (Johnny) of Muskogee; sister-in-law, Donna Garrison of Muskogee; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. A family conducted memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 5, 2023, at St. Paul United Methodist Church with the Rev. Emery Mason officiating. A private burial will be held at a later date in Hitchita. Pallbearers will be John Watson Griffin, Weldon Keys, Johnny Broome, Kelci Crandall, Ed Johnson and Gerald Brown. Honorary pallbearers are Joseph Broome, Geoffrey Broome, Britt Leggett, Wade Leggett, Jessica Finley and Rachael Reed. Memorials may be made to St. Paul United Methodist Church.

Gary R. Garrison

August 29, 1942 - June 18, 2023