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Roger Garrison Obituary
February 7, 1944 - February 13, 2026
Roger W. Garrison, Professor Emeritus of Economics at Auburn University and a prominent scholar of the Austrian School of Economics, died Friday, February 13, 2026, in Auburn, AL at the age of 82.
Born in Joplin, Missouri, on February 7, 1944, to James Elmer Garrison and Hazel Halene Wommack, he graduated in 1967 from the University of Missouri at Rolla with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. Following his graduation, he served as a commissioned officer in the United States Air Force. Stationed at Rome Laboratory at Griffiss Air Force Base, he worked as a systems engineer specializing in electronic countermeasures, eventually rising to the rank of Captain.
Following honorable discharge from military service in 1978, Garrison earned a master's degree in Economics from the University of Missouri at Kansas City and then spent two years working at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. Garrison then returned to academia to earn his Ph.D. in Economics at the University of Virginia in 1981.
Garrison joined the Auburn University faculty in 1978 where he became a celebrated scholar of the Austrian School of Economics, building upon the work of famed economists Ludwig von Mises and Friedrich A. Hayek. Garrison is notable for his graphical representation of the Austrian Business Cycle Theory and how it contrasted with prevailing Keynesian and monetarist models. Garrison's scholarship culminated in his 2001 book, Time and Money: The Macroeconomics of Capital Structure, which earned him the prestigious Vernon Smith Prize for the Advancement of Austrian Economics.
Beyond Auburn, Garrison was the inaugural Hayek Visiting Scholar at the London School of Economics in 2003, and he served as President of the Society for the Development of Austrian Economics in 2004. He was deeply involved over many years in the Ludwig von Mises Institute as an adjunct scholar and Senior Fellow.
Garrison was a classic car enthusiast and collector. He was an active member of the East Alabama Old Car Club and the longtime author of the club's regular newsletter. His tangerine-orange 1956 Studebaker Power Hawk could be seen festooned with flags and ribbons at Auburn football games and holiday parades over the years.
Garrison is survived by his wife of almost 38 years, Karen Garrison; his son, Jim Garrison, and his wife, Margo Sulmont; and two nephews and their families. His family and extended family will remember his gift for a funny story, his impromptu presidential trivia quizzes, and the pleasure of watching Atlanta Braves games together in the living room. In addition to his vast intellectual curiosity, Garrison brought an understated sense of playfulness to family gatherings that will be deeply missed.
Contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to the REACH (Refresh, Encourage, Activities, Care, Hope) Community Respite Ministry of Auburn United Methodist Church or to a charity of your choice. A family memorial will be held later in the year.
Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home
1500 Frederick Rd., Opelika, AL 36801
Memories and Condolences
for Roger Garrison
Sponsored by Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home.
Sharon Pierce
March 13, 2026
Dr. Garrison was one of my favorite professors at Auburn. My condolences to the family.
Jan (Ziglar) & Rex Eunice
March 10, 2026
I just found two more fun pictures of Dr. Garrison's Studebaker!
In our hearts,
Jan (Ziglar) & Rex Eunice
Jan (Ziglar) & Rex Eunice
March 10, 2026
Dear Jim & family,
Rex and I were deeply saddened to learn of Dr. Garrison's passing. We spent so MANY fun times together at Auburn attending games, meeting for alumni band reunions, eating out together, etc.
Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers during this sad time. Please let us know if we can help you.
Thinking of you,
Jan (Ziglar) & Rex Eunice
Thomas McQuade
March 10, 2026
Roger was my dear friend and mentor. He was a distinguished and insightful economist, and his application of Hayekian concepts to macroeconomics broke new ground. He had a large effect on my life in that, having heard him lecture at a Mises University program at Stanford, I was led to study his and related work, which led to a desire to go back to school and study economics. And the fact that he and Leland Yeager were in residence at Auburn made my choice of school an easy one. Roger became the Chair of my PhD Committee, a duty which he handled with a light but effective touch, ensuring, as he did with all his students, that I read widely and studied carefully economists such as Keynes, of whose work he was a staunch critic. I have many fond memories of my time at Auburn, and Roger features in most of them. His intellectual curiosity, his clarity of thought, his ability to to find the words to express subtle concepts simply, and his delightful sense of humor, made him the finest of scholars and the best of friends. He will be well remembered.
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randy beard
March 9, 2026
I am very sorry to hear of Professor Garrison's passing. I know he suffered from poor health these last years. Prayers for the Garrison family.
Stanley RAY PATTERSON(Brother Phillip Patterson)
March 9, 2026
I was so glad I got to read this about Roger. My brother and grew up with him and his brother Jim. I remember the family so well when we were all around 10-`4 years old. Prayers for his family.
Pelagie Teta
March 8, 2026
Such a kind person. Condolences Kto Karen and family.
Alexander Kondeas
March 8, 2026
I am really sorry to hear about professor Roger Garrison's passing. He was a very good person, polite, and funny. He was a true gentleman. He will sure be missed. My condolences to his family.
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