Willard Garrison

1927 - 2018

Willard Garrison
July 14, 1927 - January 20, 2018
Willard Garrison, a man of great dignity, charm, wit, and intelligence passed away on Saturday, January 20th. Dad was born on July 14th, 1927 in Myrtle, Missouri. He came from a large family of subsistence farmers trying to eke a living out of the Missouri Ozarks, an area not known for fertile soil. Like so many here, Dad's family was blown west by depression, drought, and financial insecurity. Life was hard, and if you are aware of the Grapes of Wrath story, Dad's family could have been the next tent over from the Joad's. Still, they were a people bound by faith and lived by a moral code with deep Christian principals. And while they knew that life was a struggle, and that the odds were longer for a people like them, that fact didn't excuse failure.
In 1949 Willard began his career in the automobile business, parking cars in the basement of what was then Helm Chevrolet. If times were slow he would polish those customer cars. He got noticed and moved up quickly. By 1957 he was a service manager at Helm. In 1960 he went to Alfred Matthews and presided there for the next 34 years. Dad was a car guy, and especially liked many of the European cars being brought back by returning WWII veterans. This led to an interest in sports car racing. As a family we regularly attended races from Cotati to Pebble Beach; any airport where they were setting up cones Dad seemed to know about.
Dad, through his own curiosity, became a very educated person. He was an avid reader, and well versed in history, politics, and geography. His interest in the world would lead him to be a great traveler. He and mom traveled extensively and were able to see many of the places that he had read about. By the time he got to a place he knew its history, culture, and geography. This endeared him to many of the locals and he made lasting friendships over the years.
But first Dad was a family man. He was a good son, husband, father, and grandfather. He loved his children and I can honestly say that I never met a better man. He taught us how to live and he did that by example. He was a devout Christian but not given to telling anyone else how to live their life. He had a world view and was a critical thinker. He was not a man that would make snap judgements about people or events. He would try to see things from more than one side and thus form an educated opinion. He was special man, in a time where there doesn't seem to be enough of them. He will be missed and his memory will be cherished by those of us who loved him.
Willard is survived by three sons, Michael (Pam), Marty (Vanessa), and Kevin (Mary); grandchildren, Megan Skillings-Garrison, Adam Garrison, Luke Garrison, Kristin Garrison, Tatum Garrison, Matthew Garrison, and Benjamin Garrison; 6 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by one brother, John Garrison of Eureka, Montana. He is preceded in death by both of his parents and ten brothers and sisters.
A public reception will be held at Salas Brothers Funeral Home on Thursday, January 25th from 4:00 -8:00 PM, with a private family burial at Lakewood Cemetary on Friday, January 26th. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to The Bright Focus Foundation.
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