David Garrison

David Lee Garrison, age 87, Joplin, passed away on Friday, September 5, 2025 at the Communities of Wildwood with family at his side.

David was born February 2, 1938 in Tipton, MO, son of the late Theodore Wayne Garrison and Geneva Opal (Matteson) Garrison. He grew up in the Tipton Ford area, and graduated from Neosho High School. He then went to Joplin Junior College before earning his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Missouri in Columbia, MO. He was a middle school teacher in Salina, KS and Kansas City, MO for a few years before returning to the Joplin area where he has been an entrepreneur owning and operating several businesses over the years. He owned Pronto Convenience Stores in Joplin from 1974- 1990. He then opened Happy Trails on South Schifferdecker where he worked with the public for several years before that becoming Paintball Ridge in the same location. He was currently working this business. He also owned and operated Uncle Dave's Hickory Pit Bar-B-Que located at 32nd and Main St. in Joplin for several years.

He was a pastor for Praise Place in Joplin and was active with local charitable groups over the years. He fed the homeless in the Joplin area working with Souls Harbor every Wednesday night. He served with the National Guard for 16 years. He was active with the LGBTQ+ Community teaching and mentoring their spiritual needs. He enjoyed his time spent with the foreign exchange students he kept over the years. He was also an avid Kansas City Chiefs fan, and loved spending time with his children, grandchildren, and siblings. He will be missed by many.

In addition to his parents, David was preceded in death by two brothers, Steve and Ted Garrison.

Survivors include his wife of 25 years, Ying Chau "Candy" Garrison; daughters, Michelle Garrison of Asheville, N.C., Ellen Garrison of Rohnert Park, CA, and Leigh Garrison-Fletcher and husband Seth of Croton-on-Hudson, NY; grandchildren, Nia Hough, Rhys Hough, and Sylvia Fletcher all of Croton-on-Hudson, NY; sister, Diane Noel and husband John of Indian Point, MO; mother-in-law, Xiu L Ren of Joplin; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be held at a later date by family.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.