Denzil D. Garrison

1926 - 2018

Denzil D. Garrison, 91, 105 W. 12th, Bartlesville, died Monday, January 15, 2018 in Bartlesville.
Denny was born November 20, 1926 in Norman, OK to Joseph Don Garrison and Nita Smith Garrison. He attended Norman schools, graduating in 1944. He served in World War II and was commissioned as a 2nd LT in 1947. He again served his country during the Korean War serving as Field Artillery Captain. Denny then served in the 45th Infantry Division of the Oklahoma Army National Guard and then in the Reserves as a Major until May of 1965. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. Denny then attended the University of Oklahoma Law School receiving his Juris Doctorate in May, 1953. It was in Norman while attending Law School that he met the love of his life, Barbara Hopper. They were married in Bartlesville on April 3,1954. Denny entered private practice in Bartlesville and became Washington County Attorney in 1955. Always interested in politics, he ran successfully for the Oklahoma State House and represented Washington County in that capacity from 1957 until 1960. In 1960 he elected to the State Senate and held the position of Minority Leader until 1974. After leaving the Senate he served as Legislative Liaison to Governor David Boren.
He was a practicing attorney in Bartlesville for 60 years with the firm of Garrison, Brown and Carlson. He was admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States, Supreme Court of the State of Oklahoma, US District Courts in Oklahoma and the US Court of Military Appeals. An avid historian, he served 2 terms as President of the Oklahoma Historical Society. Denny was passionate about his family genealogy and wrote several books about his family history. He was a voracious reader and writer, authoring 2 books, Remembrances of A Redleg, and Honor Restored. Throughout his life, he was very active in Republican politics and an avid Oklahoma Sooner Fan.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Barbara Hopper Garrison; one son, Charles (Chuck) Garrison and wife, Laurie Hogue Garrison of Monument, Colorado, daughter Ellen and husband Bryant Frihart of Tulsa, OK, daughter Kathryn and husband Allen Hadden of Bartlesville, OK, daughter Elizabeth and husband Craig Flowers of Austin, TX and daughter Martha and husband Scott Collins of Lawton, OK, 16 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren and his precious Border Collie, Bonnie.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Friday, January 19, 2018, at the Lyon Fine Arts Center Chapel at Bartlesville Wesleyan University, 2201 Silver Lake Rd, Bartlesville, OK, with Rev. Christopher Waters of the St. Paul Anglican Church officiating. Interment will be in the Fort Sill National Cemetery at Lawton, OK, directed by the Stumpff Funeral Home & Crematory.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Oklahoma Historical Society, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, Okla. City, OK 73105.
Friends who wish may sign the online guest book and leave condolences at www.stumpff.org.