Macdonald Grant Garman

Garman, Macdonald Grant
February 6, 1924 - September 14, 2010
Born in Los Angeles, Don was the oldest child of Grant and Phyllis Garman. Along with his sister, Shirley, Don was raised in Whittier, where he attended Whittier Union High School, excelling at swimming and water polo. Don entered the Navy in 1943, learning to fly in Iowa and working in Alameda Island.
After leaving the Navy in 1946, Don worked at Brown & Bigelow in advertising, where his father, Grant, also worked. In 1955, he moved to Pryor-Giggey Co., a maker of the concrete used on launch pads in Florida. He became president of the company in 1958, serving in this role until 1988.
During his years in Whittier, Don served as the president of the Whittier Union School Board from 1960-1971. Further, he served as the president of the Whittier Rotary Club, the Whittier Chamber of Commerce, and was the first president of the Santa Fe Springs Chamber of Commerce.
Don's major passion in life was golf. In 1968 he was a founding member of Friendly Hills Country Club in Whittier, serving as its president from 1985-1987. For years he regularly played in the Pro Am at the Hawaiian Open and attended five Ryder Cups. In 1991 he joined the Orange County Senior Golf Association, leading the organization in 1997-1998 and 2001-2002. This organization provided much joy to him later in life.
Since 2005 Don resided in Laguna Beach, a city he had always loved.
Don is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Lenore, his son, Paul, his daughter and son-in-law, Bonnie and Bill Hopper of Rochester, New Hampshire, his daughter-in-law Nancy Garman of St Johns, Florida, his stepson and daughter-in-law, Phillip and Pamela Stirling, his stepson, Dwight Stirling, six grandchildren (Bridgette, Olivia, Alexandra, Cole, Quinn, and Danica), and two great grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held on October 16, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. The location is El Adobe Restaurant at 31891 Camino Capistrano in San Juan Capistrano. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Don's name to either (1) the Christian Science Society at 31897 Del Obispo, San Juan Capistrano, 92675, or (2) Musical Theatre West at 4350 E. 7th Street, Long Beach, 90804.