Steve Garner

1941 - 2025

Steve Ashley Garner, 83, of Dublin, NC, passed away after a brief illness at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center on Thursday, September 25, 2025, just shy of his 84th birthday. He is preceded in death by his parents, Lee Dell Garner and Lena Hester Garner; brothers, Edsel Lee Garner and Jackie Madison Garner, Sr.; and sister, Linda Dianne Garner. Steve is survived by his two sons, Chip Garner of Clayton, NC, and Rob Garner of Cary, NC; sisters, Shirley (James) Jernigan of Fayetteville, NC, and Bobbie Myers of Huntersville, NC; nieces; nephews; and many cousins and friends.

Steve was born and raised in Dublin. He spent his time working on the family farm and later at Goldston's Beach at White Lake. He was a graduate of Guilford College and a member of the North Carolina National Guard.

Steve spent most of his adult life living in Winston-Salem where he enjoyed a long, successful career at R.J. Reynolds (RJR) Tobacco Company. This included many years traveling the far reaches of the globe with RJR International. He loved telling the story of being in Berlin, Germany, during the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Steve initially retired in Winston-Salem and recently moved back to Dublin where he built a home on the family farm. He enjoyed his retirement by going to NC State baseball and football games with his sons. He picked up cycling as a hobby and enjoyed riding with his friends and son Rob. He also enjoyed helping his son Chip on the farm and hanging out with Buddy the cat.

Steve was a great storyteller and jokester and delighted in sitting and talking with anyone who would listen. He loved beach music and could be found at White Lake or Lu Mil Vineyard when they hosted a beach music band. Steve's sense of humor will be missed by those he held close to him.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the NC State Wolfpack Club at (919) 865-1500.

A casual, drop-in Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, October 12, from 1-4 p.m. at Lu Mil Vineyard in Dublin. Lunch will be served.