Richard Jennings Garris

Richard Garris, 87, of Virginia Beach, VA, went home to be with his Lord on Monday, April 18. A fervent follower and witness to Jesus Christ, he exemplified a sweet, gracious, humble, and generous gentleman like none other. When he smiled, everyone around him did too.

Richard was born in Portsmouth, VA, attended Norfolk schools and Bob Jones Academy and graduated from Norview High School. He began his professional life with the Norfolk and Southern Railway, then proudly served as a trombonist musician in the United States Marine Corps band.

After military service, he received his bachelor's and master's degrees in music education and principalship from Old Dominion University and became a well-respected band and orchestra teacher in Norfolk Public Schools for over 32 years. He changed whole communities with his powerful love of music and commitment to children. To listen to his school band concerts was to hear nearly professional perfection. To listen to his students then and for many decades after was to hear heartfelt words of love and admiration for their maestro. Serving as a choir director for many area churches, he was concerned about the wellbeing, salvation and spiritual growth of the choir members even more than the music. At First Baptist Church, he enjoyed playing trombone as part of the orchestra.

Richard was an avid tennis player in local leagues and a competitive sailor in regattas in and around the Chesapeake Bay. He loved golf and traveling around the US with his family. His favorite pastime, however, was doing anything with his son, Jeff. In recent years, Richard cherished his wife Janice, listening to Christian music, praying, worshipping and sharing joyful laughter.

Richard is predeceased by his parents, Billie and Evelyn Duncan Garris; his first wife of 55 years, Carolyn Hammer Garris; and his younger brother, Robert William Garris of Hydeaway Lake, TX. He is survived by his wife, Janice Leigh Garris of Virginia Beach who he loved and adored and his only child, Jeffrey Alan Garris of Williamsburg.

A viewing will be held at 10:00 AM at First Baptist Church of Norfolk on Monday, April 25, and Richard's Celebration of Life Service will follow at 11:00 AM. A short reception will be held after the service. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com.