Victor H. Garrou

VALDESE - Mr. Vic Garrou, 75, of Valdese, died Sunday, March 21, 2010, at Valdese Hospital after two years of declining health. Mr. Garrou was born Jan. 24, 1935, in Burke County to the late Henry Francis and Bessie Estelle Rector Garrou. Vic graduated from Valdese High School and earned a BS in textile chemistry with honors from North Carolina State University in 1957. He joined Alba-Waldensian Inc. and retired after 43 years of service as technical director of Alba Health Care and after obtaining two patents. He served for 10 years in the Army Reserve and six months active duty at Ft. Lee, Va. Vic was a lifelong and faithful member of the Waldensian Presbyterian Church, serving as deacon, elder, clerk of session, on the financial assistance program, on various committees and joined the choir in 1975. He earned a private pilot's license and was taking the flight exam at the time President Kennedy was assassinated. He later became multi-engine instrument rated. He served his community as well by being the president of the Lions Club, chairman of United Fund Drive, serving on the Blue Ribbon School Committee, Valdese Hospital board and the Community Choir. His hobbies included bird hunting, electronics, photography, travel (he fulfilled his wish to visit every continent) and computers. He was very interested in travel to outer space and followed the NASA programs very closely. Vic loved model railroading and was a founding member of the Piedmont and Western Model RR Club. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Albert Francis, Marie Elizabeth, Philip Henry, James Edward and Hazel Anita. Surviving are his wife, Ann Bills Garrou of the home; a daughter, Noelle G. and Robert Jennings; sons, Victor, Jr. and Barbara Garrou and Henry and Jesica Garrou; a brother, Dr. Ben W. and Annette Garrou; and a sister, Margaret G. Heilman. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Francis, Giselle and Veronica Garrou, Olivia and Duncan Jennings and Emma Garrou. The funeral service for Victor H. Garrou will be held at 11 a.m. today, Thursday, March 25, 2010, in the Waldensian Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Dr. Kevin Fredrick officiating. Interment will follow in the Waldensian Presbyterian Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 9:30 to 11 a.m. today at the Waldensian Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105-9959 or the Waldensian Presbyterian Church Financial Assistance Program, 109 Main St., E., Valdese, N.C. 28690. An online guest book and obituary are available at www.heritagefuneralservices.com. Heritage Funeral Service and Crematory is assisting the Garrou family.