Dr. Thomas G. Garrison

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Dr. Thomas G. Garrison was born April 4, 1930 in Posey County, Ind., and passed away Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012, surrounded by his loving family.

Tom was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, teacher and mentor. He was a longtime educator and community leader who was instrumental in the development of vocational and alternative school programs throughout central Indiana.

He graduated with BS and MS degrees in agriculture from Purdue University, an MS in counseling from Ball State University and an Ed D from IU Bloomington.

Among his many accomplishments, Tom received the FFA Honorary Farmer award in 1994, and Sagamore of the Wabash award in 1995.

He served as a Navy medic during the Korean conflict, and as commander and chaplain of Brownsburg American Legion Post 331.

He served on the school boards of St. Malachy School and Cardinal Ritter High School, as president of the College Avenue Condo Association, and has served on the Brownsburg Park Board and as a Brownsburg Police Commissioner.

He is a member of the Indiana Retired Teachers Association and has been a member of St. Malachy Catholic Church since 1966.

He is survived by his adoring wife of 61 years, Mary K (Catherine); sons Mike (Shari), and Greg (Niki); daughters Becky Garrison, Marty (Ray) Dunn, Mary Beth (Sean) Mullen, Cathy (Doug) Brinkerhoff and Joanie (Brian) Stader; and grandchildren Tiffany (Brian) Giles, Michael (Amy) Garrison, Patrick (Faye) Rodriguez, Erin Rodriguez, Kyle (Jeff) Tutterow, Luke Garrison, Curtis Trujillo, Connor Stader, Brock Stader, Garrison Brinkerhoff, Kristen Brinkerhoff, and great-grandchildren Taylor Traut, Jake Giles, Hank Giles, Tatum Tutterow, Tenley Tutterow, Ella Garrison, Finnegan Rodriguez, Naqiya Rodriguez and stepgreat-grandchildren Rhiannon Dunn and Freddie Barker.

He was preceded in death by parents Casey and Ella Garrison, brothers Bob Garrison and Ted Garrison, sister Gladys Davis, granddaughters Vida Dannielle Garrison, Brittany Channel Dalton, and son-in-law Steven Brian Naanes.

Visitation will be from 2-6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 9 at Matthews Mortuary, Brownsburg, and one hour prior to the funeral on Dec. 10 at St. Malachy Catholic Church.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 10 at St. Malachy.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Malachy Building Fund "Fulfilling the Promise," 9833 E. County Road 750N, Brownsburg, IN 46112