Funeral Service for Joseph Dwight Garrison will be held on
May 10, 2012 @ 11:00a.m.at
Dyal Cemetary in Starke, FL


Joseph Dwight Garrison was born on Sept.1, 1956 at the Bradford Hospital here in Starke, Florida where he lived out his life. He is the youngest of five-5. His parents are Joseph and Vera Garrison also of Starke, Florida. Siblings are David Eugene Garrison, Mark Stanley Garrison, Gary Lee Garrison and Pamela Sue Evans. Joseph was a member of The Morgan Road Baptist Church.

Joey grew into a hard working man with good qualities that he often shared with those around him, such as a caring heart, a giving nature and a loyalty to friends and family. He could do many things from working on cars to farming, applying vinyl siding and much more. He provided for his family with his many talents but he also helped others which I know many appreciated.

He became a proud father when his baby boy arrived on
April 19, 1979. He fondly named his son Joseph Eugene Garrison II. Joey loved his son and would do anything to help and be there for his boy.

He met Diane in Sept. 1983 and they were married soon after. She has been his friend, partner and in his last days, his caregiver. Diane came into the marriage with two-2 children: Oscar Davis and Barbara Davis. All three-3 later had children of their own which made Joey and Diane happy grandparents. Some of the grandkids called Joey, pe-pa while the others called him, grand-dad.

In 1996, Joey was diagnosed with cancer. Getting this type of devastating news is hard for anyone, but Joey is not just anyone and he was determined to fight it; and fight, he did. He underwent 12 sessions of chemo therapy and too many radiation treatments to even count. Although this was destroying the cancer; it was also doing the same to his bones. He had to have 2 separate bone graphs to repair this damage. The healing process was long and painful. Many more surgeries were to follow. With all this, he continued smiling, working and helping others. He was acting better than most healthy people I know. He had a very good attitude despite the health problems he was enduring on a daily basis. He rarely spoke of his health and when asked about it, he would always say he was doing good. He was not a complainer even if he had a reason to be.

He wasn't always sick though and when the kids were young he would take them camping, fishing and swimming. Things of that nature.

On one occasion a snake came swimming through the water while they were in at Sampson Lake. Joey yelled for the kids to get out, but they couldn't get out fast enough. Some how he managed to get to them quick enough. He picked Little Joe up in one arm and Oscar in the other like little rag dolls, holding them above the water and out of danger. Barbara ran as fast as her skinny legs would take her. While the snake swam right through Joey's legs, brushing up against him and kept right on going which was a big relief to them all. Joey put the boys down and they all went back to playing as if nothing ever happened. It made for a more exciting day.

On another day when Barbara was about 12 years old, Joey allowed her to drive him to the store and back. Joey taught all the kids to drive at an early age. Well, Barbara did very well; there and back. O matter o' fact, it was a little too good to be true. Upon returning, Barbara pulled into the driveway and on up in front of the house. Joey continued coaching her by saying "ok now slow down, slower, now stop, STOP! Barbara some how switched her feet over and pushed the gas instead. So instead of stop; she went. Right into the pole that helped them to stop. Thank goodness for the pole or she might have driven right into the living room. Needless to say; the car was never the same after that.

Those were just a few of the many happy memories that were shared between Joey and his kids. The grandkids also have similar memories. He and Diane often got them for a weekend of fun doing some of the things that they did with their own kids years before, but there was a difference and the difference was that these children got spoiled rotten. Well, What are grandparents for if not to love and spoil?

His wife and kids were not the only ones to benefit from his good nature. Using his many useful talents, he would help those broke down on the side of the road, help a neighbor, friend or other family member with a task whether it was roof repair, fixing machinery problems or to go help his mom when she yelled from her house to his. Yes, this tiny little thing had a set of pipes on her. I can hear her now calling for him. He was often called for "Eyelash Duty". Yes, you heard right.
He would drop everything when is mother got that aggravating lash in her eye.

He would gently take the tweezers in his steady and firm grip while gently and carefully removing the intruding eyelash. Never once harming his mother's delicate eyes. I wonder how many people know that? This hardworking man could switch off the manly man persona and become a gentle momma's boy just by hearing the sound of his sweet mother's voice.

Some would say that Joey lost his battle to this awful disease, But I choose to say that Joseph Dwight Garrison went to be with our Lord Jesus Christ on May 6, 2012. His caring wife, Diane was by his side.

In closing I would like to share with you all a quote by Edwin Markham that says:

There is a destiny that makes us brothers; none goes his way alone: all that we send into the lives of others, come back into our own.

I believe this quote sums up Joeys life of good nature and deeds. He was a friend and helper to, family, friends and even strangers. We would all be wise to take a page from his life's story and apply it to ours.

May the Lord's peace and blessings
be upon you all here today.
In Jesus Name.