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BORN
1962
DIED
2016
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James Garner Obituary
James "Jim" Bradley Garner, 53, passed away April 2, 2016 after a courageous battle with Younger Onset Alzheimer's Disease. Jim was born in Manchester, CT on April 7, 1962 and proudly served in the United States Air Force for 23 years. Jim was an outstanding father and husband who loved to play sports. His dream to help find a cure for Alzheimer's Disease propelled him to become an advocate and share is story in hopes of helping others. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Winfred and Beverley Garner, and his brother Bruce Garner. He is survived by his wife Karen Garner; his children Frankie L. Garner and Bradley C. Garner; and his sisters Sandra Stratton, her husband John and daughter Vanessa, and Diane Garner and her fiance, John Laraia. The family will celebrate Jim's life at the Mariners' Museum in Newport News, VA on Wednesday April 13, 2016.
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Memories and Condolences
for James Garner
Sponsored by the family.
David Bidwell
April 16, 2016
Reading about the time he spent with his children reminds me of our childhood years in Manchester. The board games and puzzles, the epic kickball and kick the can games, "helping" with his newspaper route to name just a few of so many great memories. Most of all, I will remember his bright smile and infectious laughter. Until we meet again my friend.
Burma Shaw
April 14, 2016
Karen- A happy note for you, after all you've been through: I'm so honored to have nominated you for L'Oréal Paris' 2016 Women of Worth Award- "honoring beautiful women making a difference" (confirmation MVL2X). The Woman of Worth should: "be resilient, be fearless, never take no for an answer, and keep on going despite the obstacles in her way". In my book...that's been you! The award is a grant to the Woman of Worth's organization of up to $35,000. I'm hoping you and The Garner Foundation will be one of the ten winners. Voting takes place November 1-21 and the awards will be announced on November 29th. You SOOO deserve this and I'm hoping my simple words were enough to convince L'Oréal that you do too. With great hope, Burma Shaw
Ellen Smith
April 13, 2016
Dear Garner Family,
Please accept my condolences for Jim's passing. Yes he will be missed but always remembered just touch yur heart and he is there. Love to your family from Hilton Cafeteria.
Nancy Current
April 12, 2016
Karen, As I am a caregiver to my husband who has dementia, I prayer that you and your family will continue to remember the best time with Jim. God bless!
Angela Dunkailo
April 11, 2016
Dear Karen, Frankie and Bradley,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. I hope you can find peace and comfort during this time. I think of the time we shared in Hilton fondly. May God bless you and keep you.
April 11, 2016
Karen,
With SINCERE condolences from California. Deepest Sympathy for the loss of your husband, best friend and father of two wonderful kids.
Sincereley,
Gayle Rashidi
Jeanie Uludag
April 11, 2016
Karen and Family: My heart and prayers go out to you as you struggle to find normalcy in the midst of grief. I offer you comfort that God is keeping his hands on you and will help you get through this difficult time. I knew Jim in Sumter, SC when we were stationed together. I remember him as friendly, funny, and an all around great guy and friend. I pray soon they find a cure so no one else will have to suffer this tragedy. God Bless you all.
Wendy Sweigert
April 10, 2016
Dear Karen and family. I walked along side you as you navigated your way. You and Jim shared a wonderful marriage, had two beautiful children and then when life was going along, had the rug pulled out from under you. I was going through the same with my sweet husband who lost the battle last year at 56. I am so sorry. My heart aches for you and your sweet children. I pray for all of you. Jim sounds like an amazing man and you captured that beautifully in your blog. Bless you all in the days ahead.
April 9, 2016
Before Jim was a service man; before he was a husband; before he was a father he was an incredibly wonderful brother. He was an active curious kid with loads of smiles. I loved getting into a good giggle with him that would go on and on. He never had a bad day and brighten my life. I'm so proud of him for putting his life out there for the world to learn from. I admit I hated seeing him cry to reporters while he struggled to explain the challenges. I wanted him to be hugged and loved not reminded repeatedly of his destiny. No matter.... He did it all for his children's future. What a guy!
Darleen Jones
April 9, 2016
I didn't know him or his family, but I am sorry for your loss. Read of your struggles in the newspaper. Best wishes to your family.
Milta Garay
April 9, 2016
My deepest and most sincere sympathy to you and your family. I lost my Dad to this same disease two years ago and what kept us going was the funny things he said and did and also knowing he was a great father. It was a hard time with many good times. Your children, the good memories and God will see you thru this. My heart goes out to you and yours. God bless you all
Billy Wooley
April 9, 2016
Karen,
I served with Jim in Arizona. He was the best. Always smiling, always taking care of the mission, and most important, always taking care of people.
My sincerest condolences to you and your family. He will be missed.
Billy Wooley Col (Ret)
April 8, 2016
My deepest sympathy to your family.May God
give you strength during this difficult time.
Judy Morewitz
Virginia Biggar
April 8, 2016
Karen -
I am so sorry for your loss. Please accept my deepest sympathy. You and your family are in my thoughts and the thoughts and prayers of all of us at UsAgainstAlzheimer's.
Most sincerely,
Ginny Biggar
April 8, 2016
What a beautiful smile! Sending you love and prayers as you celebrate his life.
Denyse
April 8, 2016
My deepest sympathy and condolences to your family.
Erica Herd
April 8, 2016
Dear Karen, I am truly sorry for your loss.
Linda Brewer
April 8, 2016
To Karen and Children, may you find peace in the coming days. I didn't know Jim, but I know the disease. I lost my husband in January at age 62. I've just come back from DC. And I won't stop fighting for a cure until there is one. May God Bless each of you.
Carrie Gumkowski
April 8, 2016
Sandy and Diane:
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Carrie Gumkowski
Carrie Gumkowski
April 8, 2016
Sandy and Diane:
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time..
Carrie Gumkowski
Lynn Graves
April 8, 2016
The year you spoke at walking for a cure and the letter from your children was read will always be remembered as the most haunting and beautiful moment at the annual event. All of us at DeStress send all of the love and positive energy to you and your children! Jim will be missed but we WILL continue the fight for a cure! DeStress Express
Cathy Pape
April 8, 2016
My thoughts, prayers, and support are with you. You and Jim both played such an active roll in Bradley's education during first and second grade. It was my pleasure to get to know the whole family and share in Bradley's education. Karen, you are an amazing role model to your children for all you have done to bring an awareness to the terrible disease. Cathy PAPE
Quillian "Doc" Gunn, Jr.
April 8, 2016
Condolences to The Garner Family. May God comfort your family now and forever!
Lisa Richard Glenn
April 8, 2016
So sorry for your loss.
Lisa Richard Glenn
Missy Spencer
April 8, 2016
He sounds like a great man that lived life to the fullest. Prayers to his family and loved ones. #alzstinks
Debbie Smither
April 8, 2016
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. God bless you.
Dawn York
April 8, 2016
In my moms honor who's passed last month and James honor I light this candle , I light it in Hope to find a cure for Alzheimer's.
Ann Napoletan
April 7, 2016
Karen, my thoughts and prayers are with you and the kids during this unbelievably painful time. I want you to know that your story makes me even more committed to advocating on behalf of families affected by this insidious disease. Jim will forever be an inspiration to so many of us. #endalz
Chris R.
April 7, 2016
My thoughts and prayers go out to your family. Thank you for sharing your journey through this horrible disease. You have all shown such grace and poise. I will never forget Jim's bright eyes and big smile. May you all find peace. My husband is still fighting this disease. Your strength and courage are an inspiration to us all. Rest in peace, Jim and thank you for your service to our country and our cause.
Janet Hastings
April 7, 2016
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, Karen. I've been a caregiver and am an advocate at SEVA ALZ ASSN. You and Jim have done an amazing thing by sharing your story. I will send letters to Congressmen on behalf of everyone affected by Alz Disease and in memory of Jim. May you find comfort and peace in your faith, family, friends & loving memories of Jim. He won't be forgotten.
Sylvia Silver
April 7, 2016
Karen so sorry for your loss.. Jim fought so hard.. My prayers are with you and the kids in the up coming days. RIP Jim
Tamie White
April 7, 2016
May you be comforted by the years of happy memories and love. Your dedication to Jim and the tireless energy promoting awareness of EOA for families like ours will never be forgotten.
Joy Hinnant
April 7, 2016
My Condolences to you - Frankie and Bradley - & your Mom!
Ms. Joy
K Gilbert
April 7, 2016
Karen's blog touched me very much and I commit to help make a difference for those affected by this terminal disease. God bless you all and thank you Jim for your service to our country and to your family.
Joanie
April 7, 2016
May God give you and your family strength and peace knowing that one day you will be reunited perfect, painless and whole.
Diane Boyle
April 7, 2016
Thank you so much for your service. Thank you for helping to bring this disease to the forefront and trying to advocate for a cure. To Karen: While I know the heartbreak of enduring the journey, I am forever grateful to you for documenting it for all of us to share. I am so sorry for your loss but I know too that he will live on in many hearts around the globe. Gods Blessings to all of you for peace and comfort today and always.
Diane Boyle
Martinez Calif.
Marcella Jackson
April 7, 2016
So sorry for your loss. May God give great strength now and the months ahead.
Jim Gervais
April 7, 2016
Karen, I wish to extend my sincerest condolences to you for the loss of your husband, may you find comfort and peace with your family & friends surrounding you during this difficult time. My family and I send our prayers and love.
Jana Powell
April 7, 2016
Karen, i had the honor of meeting you and Jim in Washington DC at the Public Policy Forum. It is ironic that Jim's death was when we were in DC again this year. We were all sadden to hear that his physcial time with you and the children has come to an end. I will continue to hold you in my thoughts and prayers for comfort and peace.
Connie Howard
April 7, 2016
Our husbands both born on the same day shared the same journey. Heartfelt prayers to family, friends, and all whose Jim's life touched.
Laurie Angell
April 7, 2016
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I followed your story in the Daily Press. My mother also suffered from early onset Alzheimer's and lost the battle about 6 years ago. It was very difficult to watch her struggles and frustrations so I know what you have been through the past few years. Stay strong and support each other.
Bird Butler
April 7, 2016
My thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
Janet Urgo
April 7, 2016
Karen and children, my heartfelt sympathy to you all in the loss of Jim. You will be in my heart and prayers. Love, Janet Urgo ( Bruce's hospice friend)
Jill Clark Page
April 7, 2016
Thank you for sharing the fight that you and Jim fought. Your hard work brought the battle for funding and research to our government and the many people who followed "Missing Jim" blog. God bless you and your family. Godspeed Jim.
Linda Peay
April 7, 2016
I am so sorry. I've followed your posts through Facebook. Thanks for sharing this man's courageous fight and your journey through being the loving family that you are. My prayers are with you.
Barb Thomas
April 7, 2016
I have followed your life on Facebook and want to extend my sympathy to you and family . Your brave exposure of this devasting disease will hopefully help more people understand it and help to eradicate it . I lost my husband last May and I understand your grief . Please take care and know you have helped many people . Barb Thomas.
Wanda Fletcher
April 7, 2016
I will always remember how Jim displayed such pride and love for F & B when he came to all of the parent conferences when they were in my preschool class. His smile cannot be forgotten, nor his love of family and kindness to all. Jim left you a legacy of love. I keep you all in my thoughts & prayers for strength, peace, and comfort. He was such a fine person.
Shelby Buffington
April 7, 2016
Karen,My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this most difficult time.
Burma Shaw
April 7, 2016
Dear Karen, Frankie and Bradley, I'm a childhood friend of Jimmy's from his Norwood Street days who met your family at Bruce's funeral. I'm so very grateful to you for the beautiful life you created with and for your hubbie and Dad. I'm sure he's immeasurably proud of (and thankful to) all of you for being such an incredibly brave, strong, supportive family. I hope your memories of Jimmy's best days will tide you through these difficult times, as they will me, and forever remain in your hearts to draw upon in the future. I've taken note of your memorial request and have done due diligence in contacting CT Senators: Blumenthal and Murphy, and CT Congresspeople: Larson, Courtney, DeLauro, Himes and Esty to ask for more Alzheimer's/Dementia/ABI funding. You have my utmost respect and admiration for advocating for Alzheimer's patients in such a very personal way, all the while living with it. This quote was shared with me when my fiancé died; it was so touching that I remember it by heart: "Beauty exists not in what is seen and remembered, but what is felt and never forgotten." -Jonathan Jena I hope it helps you too. Peace to you all, Burma Shaw
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