Photo courtesy of Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service - Rich Square
Murfreesboro, North Carolina
"Coach" James Gardner Garrison, Sr., age 82, of Murfreesboro, passed away on April 3, 2015 at the Vidant Roanoke Chowan Hospital of Ahoskie, NC.
He was born on March 5, 1933 to Robert and Irene Garrison in Weaverville, NC. Coach Garrison was raised in the Mill?s Home Baptist Orphanage in Thomasville, NC, which is now North Carolina Baptist Children?s Home. He attended Gardner-Webb University, Western Carolina University, later coming to Chowan University to coach football, where he made his home for his family and began his life legacy. Coach Garrison dedicated more than fifty years to Chowan University and its Athletic Department. He developed the annual Jim Garrison Golf Tournament to raise money for the athletic department of Chowan University. He started the Murfreesboro Recreational Program, and coached little league for many years. Continuing on with supporting the community, Coach Garrison served on the Board of Education for Hertford County, Murfreesboro Rescue Squad, was a member of the Murfreesboro Exchange Club and the local Masonic Lodge. Over his lifetime of accomplishments, he has been inducted into five Sports Hall of Fames, which includes the National Junior College Athletic Association Sports Hall of Fame, the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, the Gardner-Webb Sports Hall of Fame, the Western Carolina University Sports Hall of Fame, and Chowan University Sports Hall of Fame, which now dons his name as the Chowan University "Jim Garrison" Sports Hall of Fame. Coach Garrison was dedicated to his family, players and Chowan University. He loved all of his former players and took great pride in all their accomplishments.
Along with his parents he was preceded in death by his son, James "Jimmy" Gardner Garrison, Jr., two sisters and two brothers.
Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife Joyce, two daughters, Lisa Garrison Lane and husband Jimmy of Murfreesboro, NC, Joy Garrison Luke and husband Tim of Ahoskie, NC; son, Darrell Bruce Garrison of Wilmington, NC; six grandsons, Jamie Lane and wife Jennifer of Suffolk, VA, Josh Lane of Murfreesboro, NC, Jake and Justin Krieger of Palm City, FL, Peyton and Maddox Garrison of Wilmington, NC; four granddaughters, Jenny Lane Ownbey and husband Andrew of Merry Hill, NC, Kristen Amaker and husband Wayne of Goose Creek, SC, Ebony Lucas of Olympia, WA, Bonnie Garrison of Olympia, WA; six great-grandchildren, Savannah and Caylee Ownbey, Chandler, Gage, Levi and Sadie Amaker, along with several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 12, 2015, from 12:30 pm until 2:30 pm at Chowan University Pond Football Center. A Celebration of Life service will follow at 3:00 pm at Garrison Stadium-Chowan University. Following the celebration of life service, the family requests friends return back to the Pond Center for refreshments and fellowship. The family will have a private scattering of remains at Garrison Stadium at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Jim Garrison Scholarship Fund or The Chowan University Athletic Department, One University Place, Murfreesboro, NC 27855, in Coach Garrison's honor.
Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service - Memorial Chapel, Murfreesboro, NC is handling the arrangements for the Garrison family and online condolences can be directed to the family by visiting www.garrettsykesfs.com.
Great coach and person. Keith Hall
KEITH HALL
March 31, 2025 | AYDEN, NC | Student
Thanks Coach Garrison, for giving me a chance.
Michael Green
March 31, 2024 | North Augusta, SC | Student
Thank You
Julius Smith
March 31, 2024 | Denver, NC | Student
We were colleagues of “Coach Garrison” at Chowan College/University for many years. Even with that relationship, it was not until a grandson, Jamie Lane and girlfriend, Jenny, signed up and excelled in our classes that we were enamored. Marriage of those two was not surprising. Then we had the privilege of seeing the twosome again when Sadie was expected; the tears and the hug were both extraordinary!
James and Phyllis Dewar
March 31, 2021 | Murfreesboro, NC | Coworker
Didnt know Coach Garrison a long time but crossed paths thru the game of football... Demanding, funny dry humor, sarcastic as hell,...man did he love the game... And I shared that love- Sorry I heard this 5years late but great coach/ person God keep you.
Mark Driscoll
July 07, 2020 | Concord, NC
Coach Garrison, Taught me a valuable lesson about being patient, that have continue to apply to this day. Coach was the type of leader that used encouragement and motivation, to ensure you gave your best at all times. Thank you, Sir for being the lasting example for me through life.
Henry Woods
June 10, 2020 | Capitol Heights, MD | Student
Of the many professional awards in my career since graduating as a Chowan Brave in 2001, this one is by far my proudest... It is the award to which all future awards were measured.... and, the one that inspired more good things to come. I think about Coach Garrison often, what he taught us on the field, off the field, and how we should be as MEN....and today watching Chowan write ups about the current football players success, I found myself reminiscing once again.
Ben Brumbaugh
January 22, 2020 | Seaford, VA | Student
Will Always be one of the best Coaches i have ever played for and was coached by, I Loved Coach Garrison and ALWAYS listened to what he said even if he said it over and over as if it was the first time. He was very passionate about the game and preparing for it as he felt it should translate to life after football. I Love and Miss you and Pray one Day to give my all back to the community as you did before i depart this earth.
Jawarren Cowles Sr
September 09, 2019 | Fredericksburg, VA | Friend
Thanks for asking me to play football for Chowan, what an honor. I'm sorry I couldn't play but baseball and my studies and odd jobs prevented me from participation. Thanks for the friend ship. I will always remember you and Coach Jerry Hawkins and My favorite university. Chowan. I was lost before I attended. Chowan College, which allowed me to attend and graduate from The University of North Carolina. Thanks again you will be missed.
shelby vaughan
May 06, 2019 | Roanoke Rapids, NC | Friend
