Lester S. "Garry" Garris Jr.

Lester "Garry" S Garris, Jr

AGE: 84 • Branchville

Lester "Garry" S. Garris, Jr., 84, of Branchville, died Saturday, June 4, 2016, at home.

Born in Franklin, Mr. Garris was raised in Branchville, where he was a lifelong resident. He was an electrical engineer for Smith Industries in Florham Park for many years before his retirement in May of 1989. A graduate of Blair Academy, Mr. Garris was a graduate of The New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark and also attended Gettysburg College, where he was involved in the ROTC program. He was a United States Army veteran, serving during the Korean Conflict. A member of the United Methodist Church in Branchville, Mr. Garris was a former Trustee. He was a member of Branchville Hose Co. #1 and an exempt member of the Morris Plains Fire Department, where he served as Chief in 1975 and 1980. He was 2009 Branchville Senior of the Year and was also a former scoutmaster.

The son of the late Lester S. Garris, Sr., and Dorothy A. (nee Dobbins) Garris, Mr. Garris was also predeceased by his sons, Lester S. Garris III in 1997, Russell P. Garris in 2007 and Mathew D. Garris in 2007; and his former wife, Barbara (nee Chamberlain) Garris, in 2002. He is survived by two grandchildren, Jennifer Lynn and Heather Ann. He is also survived by extended family members, Linda Chamberlain Hendrixson and husband, Roger L., of Hampton Township, Martin L. Chamberlain of Burgess, Virginia, and daughter-in-law, Deborah Garris, of Rockaway.

Family and friends will gather for an informal sharing of memories on Thursday, June 9, 2016, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Wood Funeral Home, 16 Main Street, Branchville. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the United Methodist Church of Branchville, PO Box 509, Branchville, NJ 07826. Online condolences may be offered at

www.woodfuneralhome.net.