John Garren

John has been gone for five years now, but we still remember him as if we visited with him yesterday. Seeing John taking notes while kayaking a river to update a river log, taking a nap, bathing behind a raft and eating cookies are some of our favorite memories. One of the first times we ever talked to him, he was kayaking the Middle Fork of the Salmon River by himself. He scared many of us on the Green River when his kayak slid into the river and floated upside down the river past the...

I wish I had seen that John had died. Why I thought of him today - I no longer remember -- but I decided to look him up and found his obituary.

John was a neighbor to my family, the Larsell's. Sidney was my good friend growing up. John was such a good man -- and a person who enjoyed life. My heartfelt condolences on losing John.

I just learned of John's passing and it is hard to believe he is gone. John was timeless. We paddled many rivers together and with Mary Alice over the years and shared great times. We also shared the wonder of skiing and snow. My best to Jon, Jeff, Mary Alice, and the rest of the family. "What happens on the River, stays on the River".

I knew John from Mt. Hood and the volunteer Mt. Hood Ski Patrol. John was a leader in the organization and served as its President in 1965 and 1966. He joined the patrol in March, 1964. I enjoyed making a few runs in Ski Bowl with John and Mary Alice.

John Wilberding

We already miss John very much and will do so every time we are on the slopes or rivers. John and Mary Alice were very special to us and we will continue to share memories with Mary Alice. We have so many wonderful memories and recall them often. He was a very special man to so many of us.
His river books have helped us on many rivers.

John Garren helped shape the great relationship I have with rivers.

We were getting ready to float the Rogue with Toad and Larry Chambers who were very close friends with John. Ironically, he came up in several conversation over the 4 days. I am blessed to have boated with him on the Middle Fork of the Salmon and the North Fork of the John Day, gleaning every bit of knowledge he was patiently giving out. A legend in his own time.

What a remarkable friend. As a reporter I knew John (and MAT) for tireless advocacy for the private boater, and for John's engineering on the state to state bridge and his river guide books . He was a kayak/ raft friend, European travel partner (andMAT) and a friend for 33 plus years. BTW, he kayaked the Colorado River with Dan and others at age 72! He will be in our hearts forever. And, may there be a chocolate chip cookie waiting at the end of this life's journey. Well done, we...

The Boise-Eliot Retired Staff sends our condolences to the loved ones of John. He has been an "in-law" to the group for at least 45 years. Tho quiet, we always knew that his heart was with us...and he just couldn't get a word in edgewise with the staff. We will always remember him and his love of riding the rapids in the wild streams of Oregon.