James W. Garrison

James William Garrison, a 43-year resident of Abington passed away Sunday, March 24, at the age of 92. Jim was born in rural Overpeck, Ohio, Jan. 29, 1920. The oldest son of Roy James and Florence Aurelia (Eubanks) Garrison, he had three brothers, George, Walter and Roy and 11 sisters, Lillian, Mildred, Thelma, Matilda, Mary, Ada, Martha, Theresa, Anna, Elsie and Janet. Jim is survived by five of his sisters, Ada Setser (Dolores, Colo.), Theresa Reumann (Hamilton, Ohio), Martha Pelton and Ann Smith (West Palm Beach, Fla.), and Elsie Clayton (Turin, Iowa). As a young man, Jim worked for the Youth Conservation Corp in Ohio, the Civilian Conservation Corp in Yellowstone National Park, and the American Can Co. in Hamilton, Ohio. July 20, 1938, he joined the U.S. Navy and completed boot camp at Norfolk, Va. He was on board the USS Medusa docked in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Dec. 7, 1941, when World War II began. Throughout the war, Jim survived several close calls including the bombing and rapid sinking of the USS DeHaven off Savo Island in the South Pacific, where two thirds of their crew was lost. He also was aboard the USS Meredith when it was hit by a contact mine off Utah Beach during the invasion of Normandy. Following the war, he enjoyed shore duty in Alaska, Florida, Maine, Rhode Island and Massachusetts as well as sea duty on board the USS Baldwin, USS Bright, USS Lady, USS Michener, USS Lloyd Thomas and USS Charles R. Ware. Mr. Garrison completed a 30-year military career following his last tour of duty in Bermuda, where he was honorably discharged Aug. 1, 1968. June 8, 1954, Jim married Hazel E. (Hendrick) Fernald in Newport, R.I., and together they raised their five children Bette (Fernald) DeVeuve of Westport, Robert Fernald (deceased) formerly of Braintree, James Fernald of Raymond, N.H., Carol (Garrison) McKenna of Philadelphia, Pa., and Debra (Garrison) Van Tassel of Longmont, Colo. Jim and Hazel settled in Abington following his naval career. Jim worked for Star Market for 15 years and Hazel worked at the South Weymouth Naval Air Station. They enjoyed gardening and their pool as well as time with their 16 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Following Hazels death in 1995, Jim renewed old friendships attending many Navy reunions and made new friends at the Abington Senior Center, the Fleet Reserve Association, the VFW, and the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association. Memorial donations may be made to any of these organizations. A true patriot, James W. Garrison was forever proud of his service to his country. A funeral Mass was held March 29, in St. Bridget Church, Abington. A commital service was held in the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne. Arrangements by the Blanchard Funeral Chapel, Whitman. For online condolences, please visit www.blanchardfc.com.