Joe P. Garrison

Joe P. Garrison, age 88, died on September 3, 2025, at Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital in Ulysses, Kansas. He was born on September 14, 1936, to Paul and Mona (Raines) Garrison.
Joe grew up in Monett, Missouri, until the 8th grade. His family then moved to Ulysses, Kansas, where he graduated from Grant County Rural High School in 1954. On March 6, 1955, he married the love of his life, Wilma O'Neal, beginning a devoted partnership that lasted 70 years. A natural athlete, Joe enjoyed playing football and basketball during his school years and later shared his love of sports by coaching Little League Baseball. He also enjoyed supporting his children and grandchildren in their sporting activities. Throughout his working years, he was employed at the Magnolia Petroleum Plant, Redi-Mix Concrete, and Plateau Gas Company, ultimately retiring from Pioneer Electric as an Engineering Manager after 32 years.
Joe's faith in Jesus was central to his life. As an active member of the First Baptist Church-now known as Community Baptist Church-he served faithfully as a deacon, Sunday School teacher, and song leader. In later years he also enjoyed sharing the ministry of Gideons International in area churches and schools. Beyond his work and church service, Joe found joy in simple pleasures like fishing and especially hunting for treasures at garage sales around town.
Joe is survived by his wife, Wilma; children, Donna (Tim) Sullivan of Wichita, Kansas; Jody (Patty) Garrison of Paola, Kansas; Joel Kent (Sue) Garrison of Spokane, Washington; Dianne (Jimmy) Williams of Eva, Oklahoma and Jeremy Garrison of Ulysses, Kansas; brother Jack (Sondra) Garrison of Hudson, Ohio; sisters Gail Reed of Wheaton, Missouri; Cynthia Morgan of Jonesboro, Arkansas and Carol Adams of Oak Grove, Arkansas; brother-in-law Richard Whitmore of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and sister-in-law Vivian Bohannon of Cookeville, Tennessee; 12 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Paul Garrison and Mona Lamberson; stepfather Clay Lamberson; brothers James Garrison, Ted Garrison and Donnie Howard; and five sisters-in-law.
Funeral service will be Saturday, September 6, 2025, at 3:00 PM at Community Baptist Church in Ulysses, Kansas, with Pastor Steve Swann, Jr. officiating. Interment will follow at the Ulysses Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, September 5, 2025, from 2:00- 8:00 PM at Garnand Funeral Home. Memorials may be given to Gideon International in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W. Grant Ave., Ulysses, Kansas 67880. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.