Junior Lee Garner

Junior Lee Garner (lovingly known to his family as “Bud”) was born June 29, 1934, in Council Hill, Oklahoma, to Herbert and Lucille Garner. He passed away on May 24, 2013, at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Junior graduated from Oktaha High School and attended Connors State College. He worked for Boeing Aircraft Company in Wichita, Kansas. Junior served his country in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1958. After discharge from the military, he owned and operated two gas stations in Muskogee, Oklahoma, one of which became the local hangout for race car enthusiasts. He was also a gifted mechanic. He later sold the stations and went to work for Lindsey Construction Co. as a heavy equipment operator and was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local #627 for 35 years, retiring in 1996. When Junior was young, he loved to race dragsters. He later switched to stock car racing and was well known in the racing circle in the late 1960’s. After retirement he enjoyed watching his beloved NASCAR races on TV. He loved to go fishing with his brother, Jerry, and of course had big fish stories to tell afterwards. Junior took great pride in his lawn and a new patch of weeds would bring out the sprayer. He had many friends, great neighbors, a smile for everyone and he never met a stranger. Junior is survived by the love of his life, his wife Sheryl (Brownie) of 44 years; son, Brian and wife Katie and his beloved grandchildren Josh and Mallory of Muskogee. Junior is preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Lucille Garner and mother and father in law, J.D. (Mac) and Ruth McAfee. Also left to mourn his loss are sister, Sue (Spike) Harrison of Amarillo, Texas; brother, Jerry (Sue) Garner, of Oktaha; sister, Aileen (Martin) Moore also of Muskogee; brother in law, Bruce (Betty) McAfee of Lake Eufaula; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, cousins, and friends. Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Muskogee, 111 South 7th Street, Muskogee, OK 74401, or the charity of your choice. The family will receive friends from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 28, 2013 at Cornerstone Funeral Home. Funeral services for Junior will be 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at First Baptist Church Chapel with Dr. Lance Sawyer officiating. Pallbearers will be Robert Garner, Phillip Garner, Mike Moore, Brandon Garner, Ron Arias and Philip Nickels.

Junior Lee Garner

June 29, 1934 - May 24, 2013