John Garrard, Jr.

March 18, 2013

John Garrard, Jr., 86, of Atmore, passed away Sunday, March 17, 2013, in Atmore.

John was a native of Flora, MS, where he graduated as valedictorian of Flora High School. John enlisted in the United States Navy, and served his country during World War II. In 1949, after graduating from Millsaps College with a degree in economics and business administration, he moved to Atmore. John served as president and CEO of First National Bank of Atmore, and also served as city councilman of Atmore for 16 years. He was on many committees and clubs, but above all, he loved serving his church, First United Methodist Church, the City of Atmore, and the Atmore Public Library.

John was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 65 years, Fonda; his parents, Annie Hayles Garrard and John Garrard; two brothers, Bobby Garrard and Bennie Garrard; and one sister, Myrtle Garrard Bowman.

John is survived by two sons, John Michael (Gail) Garrard and David Garrard; granddaughters, Kelly (Rusty) Howard and Lori Beth (Michael) Diller; five great-grandchildren, Anna Kate Howard, Alex Howard, John William Howard, Logan Diller, and Ella Grace Diller; one step-grandson, Blaine McFarland; and one step-granddaughter, Dana (Tony) Campise; and three step-grandchildren, Cala, Hannah and Cody Morrison.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 21, 2013, from the First United Methodist Church in Atmore, with the Rev. Jim Reece officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery with military honors.

Visitation will be held Thursday, March 21, 2013, from 9:00 a.m. until service time at 11:00 a.m.

Active pallbearers will be Blaine McFarland, Dr. Jonah McIntyre, Rob Faircloth, Jr., Stephen Van Pelt, Ted Presley, Larry Houck, Mayor Howard Shell and Mayor Jim Staff.

Honorary pallbearers will be the First National Bank Retirees Club and their spouses, the Atmore VFW, and past City Councilmen Chris Walker, Webb Nall, Louie Turner III, Cornell Torrence.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Atmore Public Library or First United Methodist Church of Atmore.

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