Gerald Garner

1927 - 2026

Gerald (Jerry) Garner passed away peacefully on February 19, 2026 at the age of 98. Jerry was born on May 25, 1927 in West Branch, Michigan. He graduated as co-valedictorian from West Branch High School in 1945 before joining the U.S. Navy from June 1945 to July 1946. He served as a radar operator before leaving the Navy to pursue optometry. Jerry received his Doctor of Optometry degree in May 1949 from Northern Illinois College of Optometry.

It was during this time that he met Reta Kimmel from Saginaw on a blind date. Reta told her mother after returning from their date that she had met the man she was going to marry, and the two wed on May 20, 1950. They returned to West Branch where Jerry ran his optometric office with the help of Reta. For over forty years, he brought visual clarity to thousands in the community.

In West Branch, Jerry participated in a local bowling league during the winter and a golf league during the summer. He helped maintain the local Little League baseball field and was very involved in his church. He loved being outside and active in many ways, from fishing and sailing to camping and backpacking. He and Reta enjoyed traveling together and visited many states as well as Germany, Austria, England, and Scotland.

After retiring, he and Reta divided living between Florida and Michigan. They enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren. Jerry was always busy and active and could be found tinkering with projects around their homes. They later relocated to Bridgman, Michigan in 2012 to be closer to family.

Jerry loved music and shared his vocal talents in church choir, often singing a tune to himself and others. He had an incredibly sharp mind and was diligent with his writing. He documented many parts of his family history and life and encouraged everyone to do the same. Jerry was also very fond of card games, which was a large part of his social life with Reta.

Jerry will be greatly missed by his loved ones and community. He is preceded in death by his dear wife Reta Garner (Kimmel), parents LeRoy and Bertha (Graves) Garner, and brothers Roy and Glenn Garner. He is survived by his children Mike and Gail (Parliament) Garner, Steve and Carol (Corey) Garner, Ron and Kathy (Garner) Goldy, and Lee and Terri (Proos) Garner. His legacy will live on with his 10 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held later this spring to honor Jerry's life and legacy.