David Noel Garrison

About

John Muir High School University of California Los Angeles

David Garrison Obituary

GARRISON-David Noel Garrison, 57, died at his home on July 28, 2004, of prostate cancer, a disease he vigilantly fought for nearly eleven years. David was a loving partner, brother, uncle, and friend. He had a sharp intellect, a love of learning and of books, enjoyed traveling, and had special talents for gardening, cooking, and playing bridge. David was born March 17, 1947, in Pomona, California, to Irving and Marjorie (King) G arrison, one of five children. David grew up in Pasadena and graduated from John Muir High School in 1965. David earned an AA degree in 1967 from Pasadena City College, and a BA from Occidental College in 1969, where he majored in history. He taught 8th grade US history at Wilson Junior High School in Pasadena. In 1971 David studied at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey where he learned Russian and was trained as a voice intercept operator; David served in the US Army for our country for three years in Berlin using these skills. In 1974 David moved to San Diego. David worked briefly for Macmillan Publishing and then began a career with Houghton-Mifflin; his work for the college division included being a senior sales representative, a manager, and a marketing specialist. David was an active member of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego. David is survived by his companion of 14 years, David Pierce, two sisters, Marilynne (David) Kennedy of Pasadena, and Sharon (Robert) Morrow of Granite Shoals, Texas, and a brother, Robert (Barbara) Garrison, MD, of Ventura. He is also survived by seven nieces and nephews and nine grandnieces and grandnephews; a sister, Kathleen (Kuni) Cross and his parents predeceased him. Services will be held on Sunday, August 8, 2004, at 2:30 P.M. at the First Unitarian Universalist Church, 4190 Front St in San Diego. David will be sorely missed by his family and his large circle of friends.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Pasadena Star-News from Aug. 6 to Aug. 7, 2004.

Memories and Condolences
for David Garrison

9 Entries

Aline Faben

August 23, 2004

Since I first arrived in San Diego in 1978 and began to work in publishing, I have thought of David as a friend and a model publisher. His kindness, generosity, and sly humor buoyed me when times were tough. Always intensely private, he made one feel privileged when he would, rarely, open a small window to his personal feelings. The last years showed how tough this gentle man was inside. My deepest sympathies to his family, David Pierce, and all his other friends. We will miss the tall figure crossing the campus with that long stride we recognized with such affection.

Paul Raymond

August 22, 2004

David's passing is indeed sad news to me. Over the past decade I had the challenge of first competing against him as a college textbook sales rep here in San Diego and then working with him for nearly 3 years as his colleague at Houghton Mifflin. Needless to say, I much preferred the latter.

David epitomized all that was noble about our industry. He was always knowledgeable, customer-focused, polite, determined to succeed, and a gentleman who abided by the rules. When you were up against David, you were up against one of the best. Yet he was as magnanimous in victory as he was in defeat. While some may see us sales reps as part of the problem, David always offered his customers the materials to be better teachers and their students to be better learners. I know that legions of instructors in San Diego will remember him exactly this way.

To the end, David fought his illness with the same determination he did when he sold his textbooks on campus. He did not go gently, and in that he inspired us all. My condolences to his partner, family, friends, and all those who were enriched as I was by my association with him.

Tom Cox

August 14, 2004

It is with sadness that I read of David's passing. I knew him professionally as the publisher's representative to San Diego State University. He was indeed a gentle man and a gentleman. His modesty is best reflected by the fact that many of his accomplishments, interests and efforts detailed in the recent obituary remained unknown to me in spite of our ongoing professional contacts. I last saw him and met David Pierce at an exposition at the Del Mar Fairgrounds and realized that he was not well. I am sorry to learn that he still had such a difficult time before him. My sincere condolences to his family and especially to David.

Tom Cox

Kathleen Rippberger

August 9, 2004

David Garrison's gentle spirit and kind demeanor made it a pleasure to chat with him when he stopped by my office to talk books. His sweet humor will be missed by the faculty at MiraCosta College, I know. One of his talents was a great memory for topics and teaching styles. He always kept an eye out for a new textbook that would interest my ESL students (and me!), and his way of seeking feedback on the books we selected was appreciated, too.

Vivian Pollerana-Walker

August 7, 2004

To David's family, and especially his partner, David Pierce, my sincere condolences. I was so sorry to learn of David's passing. He and I became friends when we were kindergarteners together and remained friends all the way through high school at John Muir, (my brother Edward knew Sharon quite well and Kathleen was a good pal of my sister Stephanie). Our family (the Polleranas) knew all the Garrisons when they lived here in Pasadena. They were/are a wonderful family. I remember David as being one of the kindest, not to mention, one of the smartest of my classmates and friends. He was one of my most favorite people during those precious years. This Earth was a better place because of his presence here. Although we lost touch, in recent years, I will always think of him as one of the really "good" men I had the honor of knowing. God bless you, David.

Judy Barkley

August 6, 2004

David was the only sales representative I enjoyed seeing. We had good chats and shared our common experiences with illness. Dave's kind spirit will remain with me.

Sherry Little

August 6, 2004

David was more than a sales rep to me for all the many years I knew him here at San Diego State University. My sympathy to all. He will be missed.

Stefana Cirino Brintzenhoff

August 5, 2004

I remember David as a child in Pasadena when I would go to the Garrisons for meetings and times with his sister Marilynne. Condolences to her,her family and all who knew David. Sincerely Stefana (nee Cirino)

Maureen Byrnes

August 5, 2004

I remember David when he would call on the history faculty at the University of San Diego where I work. He was always very polite. My sincere sympathy goes out to his partner and family.

Showing 1 - 9 of 9 results