George Garris

1929 - 2024

George Garris
12/03/1929 - 03/29/2024
George Walter Garris Jr passed away peacefully on March 29, 2024 at the age of 94. He is survived by his three children -- his daughter Mary, and two sons Joe and John.
He was born on December 3, 1929, in Jeannette, Pennsylvania. After finishing high school just after the end of WWII, he joined the US Air Force for a long career in the military. During the Cold War, he served in counter-intelligence stationed in Korea during the Korean War, and in Japan afterwards.
It was in Tokyo Japan where George met his future wife, Theresa Yukiko Garris. Despite their cultural differences and language barrier, they hit it off immediately. They wed in 1959, and lived 50 years together until her death in 2009.
After 22 years of military service, he retired and settled with his family in the San Francisco Bay Area. He spent the next 25 years working at Bay Meadows race track in a variety of roles. He was well-liked by his colleagues, who always viewed him as friendly, trustworthy, and dependable.
George was a devout Catholic, and he made his Catholic faith a central part of his life. Every weekend he could be seen at St. Marks Catholic Church in Belmont CA, where he came to know many other regular churchgoers.
One of his favorite hobbies was bowling, and at one time he was offered a spot to become a pro bowler on the PBA Tour. However, he decided to keep it a hobby, and in his later years enjoyed bowling in teams at the San Mateo Elks Lodge, where he was a member for over 40 years. He also enjoyed baseball and would love recapping the most recent game the San Francisco Giants played.
George will be remembered for his loyalty, his dedication to family, and unbreakable faith. He was someone who never asked much of others, but who always was there to help others in their time of need.
Interment will be at the Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Colma, CA and limited to family, at their request.