Kenneth C. Garrison

Kenneth Clifford Garrison went peacefully to walk with his Lord and Savior Jan. 2, 2010, at his home in Tigard.

He was born Sept. 4, 1921, in Forest Grove to Charles and Gertrude (Raymond) Garrison. He is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Lila of Tigard; son, Clifford, and wife, Judy Garrison of Skamokawa; son, Wayne, and wife, Darla Garrison of Tigard; daughter, Judy, and husband, John Alholm of Longview; son, Charles Garrison of Kelso; daughter, Tamara, and husband, Harlan Buoy of Craig, Alaska; daughter, Laura, and husband, Timothy Watson of Aloha; sister, Ruth Strasz of Detroit, Mich.; 20 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father; sisters, Juanita Underhill, Codessa Alcon, Virginia Poulson and Violet Weiss; and brother, Virgil "Rex" Brooks.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in Portland in 1940. After boot camp, he was assigned to the USS Nevada. He was on duty during the attack on Pearl Harbor and was commended "for his courage, skill and devotion to duty, while in action against strong enemy strafing, bombing and torpedo attack at Pearl Harbor." He also served on USS St. Louis and USS Boxer (plank owner). After the Navy in 1947, he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard and served until his retirement in 1963. He advanced to chief warrant officer.

Upon retirement, he worked for Montgomery Ward in Portland and then Tektronix in Beaverton. He was known by friends and family members as Ken or Sam. To Coasties, he was known as "Gabby." Mr. Garrison was an active member of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association (past president), Fleet Reserve, Retired Officers Association, Elks, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars (post commander and chaplain). He was an elder at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Tigard. He volunteered for Meals-On-Wheels, transported patients to physician and clinic appointments and delivered medication refills for homebound veterans.

He advocated lifelong learning and obtained his GED, several technical certifications and attended college. He led by example, was fair and respectful of all people, no matter their race, color or creed.

A funeral was held on Jan. 9, 2010, in Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Tigard. Interment was in Fern Hill Cemetery in Skamokawa. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent in Kenneth's name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.

As we bid adieu to his physical presence on this earth, we wish him "Fair Winds and a Following Sea."