Robert J. McGarity

Robert J. (Bob) McGarity, 85, Daytona Beach, passed away Sunday, January 22, 2006, following major surgery. Mr. McGarity was born in Fort Pierce in 1920. In the 1930s, he attended Bolles Academy in Jacksonville on a band scholarship. He later attended Presbyterian College and majored in economics. He graduated from the United States Maritime School and later served in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Pacific Oceans as a member of the Merchant Marine. He married Gartha Squier in 1950. He is survived by three sons, Robert, Daytona Beach, Richard, DeLand, and Randy, Fort Pierce; one daughter, Kim Conaway, DeLeon Springs; two daughters-in-law, Carolyn Palmatier McGarity, DeLand, and Anise Donascimento McGarity, Fort Pierce; a son-in-law, Kim (KC) Conaway, DeLeon Springs; six grandchildren, Sean and Brandon McGarity, DeLand, Lane Conaway (UF), Gainesville, Laura Conaway, DeLeon Springs, and Kailey and Alyssa McGarity, Fort Pierce; and his nephew and namesake, Honorable Judge R. Michael Hutcheson, Port Orange. He was previously a member of First Presbyterian Church, where he was on the Board of Deacons and president of the Men of the Church. He was currently a member of the Tomoka Christian Church, Ormond Beach. Until his retirement in 2003, he owned and operated Bob McGarity Advertising and Flag Company, which he established in 1952. He was an avid Florida Gator fan until the very end. He previously served on the PTA Board of Directors of Highlands Elementary, Boy Scout Board, Volusia County Fair Association Board of Directors, Daytona Beach, Lions Club Board of Directors, City of Daytona Beach Planning and Zoning Board as chairman of the Land Use Conmmittee, chairman of the Volusia County Parks, Recreation, Open Spaces, and Conservation Committee, Volusia County Bicentennial Executive Committee, and vice chairman of Volusia Council of Government (VCOG) 208 Water Quality Committee. He was a charter member of the Volusia County Planning Board, where he served as secretary and on multiple committees. He was also a member of the Agriculture Advisory Committee and Daytona Beach Industrial Club. He was a longtime member of the Volusia County Democratic Executive Board, where he served as delegate to three State Conventions. He served on several state committees for various politicians, including governors, U.S. senators, U.S. congressman, state senators, and state representatives. He was a lifetime member of the Volusia County Cattlemen's Association, as well as an honorary state director of the Florida Cattlemen's Association, longtime board member of the Halifax Historical Society, member of the Highlands Civic Association, and team member of the Daytona Beach Quarterback Club. The family will receive friends on Friday, January 27, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Lohman Funeral Home, 1423 Bellevue Ave., Daytona Beach. On Saturday, January 28, a memorial service will be conducted at 11 a.m. at Tomoka Christian Church, 1151 W. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach 32174, with the Pastor Joe Pudding officiating. A reception will follow. The burial service will be held at the Daytona Memorial Park, 1423 Bellevue Ave., Daytona Beach, at 4 p.m. with Pastor Ed Marshall officiating. Floral arrangements may be sent to the Lohman Funeral home or, in lieu of flowers, the family rquests donations be made to the Tomoka Christian Church. Arrangements are under the careful direction of Lohman Funeral Home Daytona.