Linda Suzanne Garrison

1947 - 2025

Linda Suzanne Garrison

Apr 8, 1947 - Sep 6, 2025

With profound sadness and immense love, we announce the passing of Linda Garrison, a cherished daughter and sister, devoted wife and mother, compassionate pediatric intensive care nurse and volunteer. She passed away peacefully at home with her family on September 6, 2025, leaving a legacy of love that will forever be cherished by her family and community. She was 78.

Linda was born in Rio de Janeiro Brazil on April 8, 1947, to Doran and Geraldine Johnson. Linda's father Doran was a navigator for Pan American Airways. Linda also had four loving brothers: Terry, Scott, Bruce and Eric Johnson. Linda spent her early years in Rio and Palo Alto, California before moving to Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1949, which she would always consider her home. She attended Will Rogers High School where she was a cheerleader, sang in the high school choir and played violin in the band. She attended Oklahoma State University where she received her Associate Degree and met her future husband, Michael Garrison. They were married June 1, 1969, at John Knox Presbyterian Church in Tulsa.

With loving parents who were very dedicated volunteers and four brothers, Linda's interest in family, community service and medicine started early. For years she accompanied her mother who was a dedicated volunteer at Children's Day Nursery in Tulsa. Also, she had polio as a child and often talked about her experience walking in the basement halls of Hillcrest Hospital where she saw children in iron lungs lining both sides. Throughout her life, she would seek out ways to help other people, especially children.

As a result of her husband's employment, the family moved fairly often beginning in Tulsa in 1969, first to Malibu, California, then Lexington, Kentucky, back to Malibu, then returned to Oklahoma in 2000 to their cattle ranch in Okfuskee County, and finally to a horse property in Tulsa County in 2017, where she was an active member of Faith Church Glenpool. In each location, Linda worked in positions ranging from executive and legal secretary, to real estate agent in Malibu, while being a caring wife and nurturing mother to her sons Brian Scott Garrison and Michael William Garrison, Jr. She always made time for volunteer work such as being in charge of the American Cancer Society program in Lexington, Kentucky to recruit drivers to help support cancer patients in getting their treatments and with shopping for necessities. Also, for over twelve years in three states Linda was highly involved in sponsoring, managing and at times even coaching youth wrestling teams including securing transportation, accommodations and meals that were necessary to attend practices, tournaments and events.

In 2004, Linda found her true calling. At age 57, she received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing with honors from Oklahoma Baptist University. A short time after graduating she became a pediatric intensive care (PICU) nurse at Saint Francis Children's Hospital in Tulsa, where she would care for patients for over 12 years. Her numerous accomplishments included being named Nurse Mentor of The Year and being the first nurse in Oklahoma certified in pediatric palliative care. She described her challenging work as a PICU nurse as "her Calling." During her tenure, Linda and the other PICU nurses touched innumerable lives.

Linda is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Mike; her children, Brian and his wife Jessica; her grandchildren, Arissa and Elara; Mike Jr. and his wife Laura; and her brothers Eric and Scott. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers Terry and Bruce. An informal gathering for close friends and family will be held at a later time to celebrate Linda and her life. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Saint Francis Children's Hospital in her memory. https://www.saintfrancis.com/childrens/the-childrens-hospital-foundation/ways-help/monetary-giving.

Schaudt Glenpool - Bixby Funeral Service

1329 E. 151st St. S. Glenpool, OK 74033