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Michael Garling Obituary
COLONIE, New York — Major Michael Richard Garling, U.S. Army, 35, died suddenly Friday, July 11, 2014, as a result of a motorcycle accident that was not his fault near Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
Mike was born in Albany, New York, on Sept. 1, 1978, attended Sand Creek Middle School and was a 1997 graduate of Colonie Central High School. He joined the National Guard at the age of 17 and did his basic and advanced individual training at Fort Benning, Georgia. In 2001, he graduated from the University at Albany and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army. He was a graduate of Missouri University of Science & Technology with a Master of Science Degree in Geology and the Army Command & General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Major Garling served three combat tours of duty in Iraq in 2004, 2006 and 2009 and one tour of duty in Afghanistan in 2011. In recognition of his service, he was awarded three Bronze Star Medals.
Mike loved the outdoors and enjoyed hiking, camping, kayaking, mountain biking and riding his motorcycle.
He is the beloved husband of Katherine Simpson Garling formerly of Sidney, Ohio, whom he married on June 14, 2014, in Bailey, Colorado, loving son of Edward S. Barnes, III and Ellen Jones Garling-Barnes, dear brother of Christen Garling (fiance' Naser Sweet), Danielle Barnes Premo (Jason Premo), Edward S. Barnes IV (Rebekah Barnes); uncle of Ethan Daniel, Brittney and Kassidy Premo, David and Taylor Brelia, grandson of Edward S. Barnes, Jr., son in law of Joyce Pack and brother in law of Shelby Simpson (fiancé Aubrey Rodriguez) of Denver, CO. Also survived by several aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was predeceased by Frederick H. Garling Jr. (father), Richard and Elizabeth Jones (maternal grandparents), Paul and Helen Coleman (paternal grandparents) and Paulina Barnes (paternal grandmother).
The funeral service with full military honors will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Bowen & Parker Bros. Funeral Home, 97 Old Loudon Road, Latham, New York, with visitation prior to the service from 9 to 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Fisher House Foundation, 111 Rockville Pike, Suite 420, Rockville, MD 20850 (fisherhouse.org) or to HART (Homeless Animals Rescue Team), PO Box 7261, Fairfax Station, VA 22039 (hart90.org).
Condolence book at bowenandparkerbros.com.
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Jayne Robertson
August 7, 2014
I was shocked to hear of Michael's passing. This sweet couple stayed with us at our resort on their honeymoon here in Estes Park. They sat at our table for two mornings and talked and we had a wonderful visit. I was impressed with his manner and disposition and with his beautiful wife. The world is a sadder place now, and we thank him and his family for his service to our country.
andrea villalba
August 5, 2014
To Major Garling's family and friends. I had the pleasure of working with him in DC, and he was a smart and talented guy. He had an infectious personality and he always made me laugh. He was just a wonderful person. And he loved his wife very much..before he left he talked about how happy he was to marry in CO...I'm just devasted to hear of his passing.
Patty Sgarlata
July 31, 2014
Ellen and family, I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved son Michael. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time in your life.
Mark Pack
July 25, 2014
Katie,Family of Mike. If I only had the words. You are in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. God bless Maj Mike.
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cindy hollinsworth
July 23, 2014
my husband and I send our heartfelt sympathy to this brave person's family.we never had the privilege to know him but we were there the day he died,we were traveling the same highway. it was a very tragic accident and the earth is less without such a brave person.
Karen Thiesse-McEnroe
July 23, 2014
Katie and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. There are no words to express the sadness and less that can take away the pain. You will be in our thoughts and prayers for the days and years to come.
Torrie Donnelly
July 20, 2014
Danielle, We are all very sorry for your loss and our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family! We would also like to thank your brother and his family for his service to our country.
With Love,
The Birthplace @ Albany Medical Center Hospital
John Miga
July 20, 2014
Joyce,
p.s. maybe it might be easier to contact me at [email protected] if you ever need assistance.
John Miga
July 20, 2014
Joyce, I hope you found comfort visiting with us at the Marriott Hotel on Friday July 18. You were among members of the American Legion which consists of Veterans and their spouses who fully understand what it means to lose a loved one, especially those who have served this great country of ours. Although your time with us was short, we share your sorrow at this most difficult time. May god bless you and your family and if you ever need help with anything, please contact the local American legion or give me a call at 716-680-2377 and I will be sure to do what I can.
July 20, 2014
Ellen, Ed, and Family,
Our deepest condolences on the loss of your son, Mike. Our prayers are with you at this tragic time.
Pat and Aanen Nelsen
Barbara Cavalieri
July 19, 2014
Dear Ellen, Ed and Family, I was so saddened to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Kimberlee Leto
July 19, 2014
We did not know each other but I thank you for your service and my freedom. With deepest condolences.
Rachel Galka
July 19, 2014
Dearest Chrissy and family: I am so sorry to hear of your tragic loss. My heart goes out to all of the family, and I will pray for you all. Love you, and I will always be here if you need me.
Janet Moreland
July 19, 2014
May you all feel the love and strength around you during this horrific time in your lives. My heart is so heavy for all of you. I hope you will find peace in knowing what a hero he is to both his family and our country. I salute you Major Garling.
Cathy Olsen
July 18, 2014
Dear Ellen, Ed, Katie, Christen, Eddie and Danielle,
Words cannot express the depth of my sadness for your loss of such a remarkable, loving son, brother, and
husband. My thoughts and prayers are with you today and always. Mike was a very special young man, and his spirit will live on in all who loved him. You are surrounded by the love of so many of us whose lives you have touched in beautiful ways. God Bless you.
By ...Aunt Vicky Jupin
July 18, 2014
July 18, 2014
Dear Ed, Ellen, Katie and Families,
There are no words that can express our deep sadness for you in the loss of Mike.
May God Bless his soul as he rests in peace.
May God Bless you with strength and courage at this most difficult time.
With our most heartfelt sympathy,
Aunt Vicky Dekan-Jupin...&
Uncle Joe Jupin in Spirit
Keford and Joan Dekan
Andrea Dekan-Regg & Family
Sandra Dekan-Cummins&Family
Mary Willey
July 18, 2014
To the Garling, Barnes, Coleman and Brizzell families,
Our deepest sympathies and condolences to you during this very difficult time. You are all in our thoughts and Prayers.
Frank & Mary Willey
Kyle & Jenna Willey
Michael Burick
July 18, 2014
A loss to his wife, his family and his country.
Our prayers are with you.
July 18, 2014
Katie so sorry for your loss. You and your family will be our prayers. Ed and Connie Jennings, Leavenworth, KS
Lori Murray
July 18, 2014
Ellen and Family,
There are no words that I can say to take away your sorrow. Please know that I am keeping your son and family in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you to your son for his service to our country.
Kelly Connor
July 18, 2014
I am so sorry for your loss. Mike will be missed by so many.
July 18, 2014
To the Garling,Barnes and Premo family: We are so sorry for your loss. May God give all of you strength to get through this difficult time and may joyful memories be with you always.
With all our love,sympathy and prayers,
Roger and Carol Premo
SSG John and Cheyenne (Hackman) Wischmeier
July 18, 2014
Katie,
Thinking of you everyday and praying for you.
Tom and Gail Vogel
July 17, 2014
Ellen, Ed and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Joyce Lavery
July 17, 2014
Ellen, Ed and family,
A profound loss of your beloved son, Michael after the joyful wedding's. I hold you all close to my heart. Your families fabric is woven with love, strength and courage. Your heartbreak is all of ours.
July 17, 2014
Family of Major Garling,
I know none of you, but am so sorry for your loss. I pray God will comfort you, and fill you with His peace, now and in the days and months ahead.
Jacque McBride
July 17, 2014
We are so sorry for your loss. Know that one day you will be joined again until that day remember all of the great times that you had with him. Our prayers are with you.
July 17, 2014
Katie,
Our deepest sympathy goes out to you and the family. We will keep you all in our prayers.
~ CSM John and Annette Lambert,
Fort Hood, Texas
July 17, 2014
Rest in peace Major,thank you for your service.
July 17, 2014
Ed,Ellen,Danielle,Christen, Eddie & Katie--My heart was deeply saddened to hear the news of Mike's tragic passing. You have all been in our prayers. All our Love, Trista, Annamarie & Justin
Dick & Flo Muzio
July 17, 2014
Dear Ellen, You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Please know our hearts are with all of you.
Flo & Dick Muzio
July 17, 2014
Premo Family,
We are very sorry for your loss. Our deepest sympathy goes out to your family.
Crudo Family
Brian & Sheri Wall, & family
July 17, 2014
Ellen, Ed, Christen, Eddie, Danielle and Katie;
There simply are no words to express the sadness and heartache of Michael's tragic passing.
Michael was a strong and courageous man, and a proud and brave soldier. He is your loving husband, son and brother to be eternally proud of. May joyful memories of your time together be with you always and may he rest in peace until you are one day reunited.
Carol Thiesse
July 17, 2014
Joyce, Katie and all the family and friends of Mike. Our deepest condolences for your tragic and sudden loss. May God give you strength to get through it all. Love, Carol, Uncle Dick and Aunt Kay.
Joann Iannacito
July 17, 2014
Sincere condolences for such a tragic loss. Army Mike will be missed and remembered in prayer always
Kathleen Normile
July 17, 2014
Katie,
I'm holding you in my heart, Mike was truly a gentleman.
Sharon Sandwick
July 17, 2014
Ellen and family,
I was so sorry to hear of your son's passing. Keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers.
Sharon Sandwick
Beverlee ,Stanley , Aun Betty Jewett/Gibson
July 17, 2014
We are so sorry for your loss!! This is such a tragedy!! Just remember he will be with you always!!!
Sharon Floyd
July 17, 2014
I am so sorry for your loss. The Garling family is in my prayers. May God give you strength and comfort during this difficult time.
Lynne Forner
July 17, 2014
Ellen,
I am so very sorry for the loss of your son. He lives on in your heart. My heart is with you.
Love,
Lynne
Lynn Gallant
July 17, 2014
Ellen & family, I am so very sorry to hear of Mike's passing. Thank you for your hero's service to our country. May he rest in peace. With my deepest sympathy.
Barbara Giacomini
July 17, 2014
Ed and Ellen...I am so sorry for your loss. Know that he is at peace in the arms of the Lord. May God be with you all at this time.
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