Rev. Harold R. Garlick Jr.

1950 - 2016

Rev. Harold Raymond Garlick Jr., 65, of Meyersdale, Pa., went home to be with his Lord on Sunday, June 26, 2016, in Twin Falls, Idaho after a long struggle with heart disease. He was born in Connellsville on Dec. 18, 1950, on his grandmother's kitchen table during a blizzard. He was preceded in death by his father, H.R. Garlick Sr.; mother, Gertrude M. (Camlin) Garlick; uncles, Wilbur Camlin Jr. and Glenn Garlick; aunts, Donna Camlin and Jane Garlick; and brothers-in-law, Terry Bentz, Ray Price and Curtis Wagner. Pastor Hal is survived by his wife, Connie (Wagner) Garlick; son, SFC Joshua Jay Garlick; daughter, Katherine Nicole Garlick; daughter-in-law, Sgt. Christy Jeanne (Visnauskas) Garlick; grandchildren, Camden Jeanne Garlick and Keegan Riley Garlick; uncle, Ray Garlick; aunts, Alberta Cossel and Shirley Vinoski; sisters, Renie (Don) Pollock, Cindy Bentz and Penny (Dale) Chess; sisters-in-law, Cathy Price and Carol (Bill) Mele; nephews, Curtis (Aja) Pollock, Ross Justin Pollock, Blake Chess, Bruce Ritenour, Mark (Lorrie) Price, Frank Mele and Scott Mele; nieces, Aryn (Jimmy) Nussbaumer, Elizabeth Chess, Sarah Chess, Elizabeth (Tommy) Blizzard, Amy Price, Erica Mele, Terrie (Steve) Walton, Kim (Kelly) Williams and Tracy (Brett) Klutch; several great-nieces and great-nephews; and numerous cousins and dear friends, too numerous to mention. He was a graduate of Connellsville Area High School, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, where he and Connie met. He was in ROTC at IUP and served for 17 years in the Army Reserves as an engineer officer, proud of the fact that he graduated from the Advanced Engineering Course despite not having an engineering degree. He worked in the construction trades as a real estate and mortgage broker, and taught school. His joy came from his calls to ministry. He served churches in Belmont and Monroe Counties, Ohio; Ladson and West Ashley, S.C.; Columbus, Neb.; and recently semi-retired from Amity Reformed Church, UCC, Meyersdale, taking on a part-time position as a hospice chaplain with Interim Hospice, Johnstown, and serving various churches in the Meyersdale area as an on-call supply pastor. Pastor Hal joined his wife on a cross-country sabbatical trip where they visited numerous family and friends and visited historic sites and state and national parks. He made new friends along the way because of their draw to the ledge vardo he had built by hand specifically for this trip. One dear friend must be mentioned, Jess Kugler and her partner, Dustin Ross, walked with Pastor Connie every step of the way from Hal's initial emergency room visit, staying through the procedures, visiting with Pastor Hal when he was hospitalized, being with Connie during the very rough time immediately after his passing, and helping her with tasks she needed done. This trial away from home was made much easier because of her presence and assistance. Pastor Hal was a member of the American Legion in Meyersdale, Maple Valley Rod & Gun Club, Meyersdale Lions, and former president of the Fayette County Board of Realtors. Pastor Hal loved his family and friends. He also loved to hunt, fish, and being outdoors.
Family and friends will be received 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the M. RAY LECKEMBY FUNERAL HOME. The funeral service will be held Saturday at The Amity Reformed Church, UCC, visitation at 10 a.m. with the funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Thaddaeus Allen officiating. Per Pastor Hal's wishes he will be cremated after the funeral service. Arrangements by the M. Ray Leckemby Funeral Home.
www.mrayleckembyfh.com.