J C. Garrison

JC GARRISON-AVID AVIATOR

JC Garrison, age 77, grew up on a large farm in Northern Alabama with 6 brothers and sisters. As a post Great Depression era child, hard work and close family shaped his life.

He worked at Coosa River Paper Company in Alabama and was later transferred to Bowater Paper in Charleston where he worked in a supervisory position for 34 years until his early retirement at age 52 in 1984. While working at Bowater, he became interested in aviation, bought his first airplane and was the fixed base operator of the McMinn County Airport in Athens. He and the late Jack Creasman founded C & G Aircraft, an aircraft sales and leasing company. JC quickly obtained his single, multi, instrument and glider ratings. He also became a fully licensed aircraft repair mechanic and instructor pilot in both airplanes and gliders.

After 6 years at the McMinn County Airport he and wife Nell became the fixed based operators at Hardwick Field in Cleveland for 35 years until their retirement in 2007.

Over the years JC taught many young men and women to fly. Some of them went on to become successful airline pilots. His son Robbie became one of the youngest pilots hired by Piedmont Airlines, now US Airways and his daughter Trish became a flight attendant at the same airline as her brother.

As operator of the Cleveland Airport he met many personalities such as Sam Walton of Wal-Mart and actors Montgomery Clift and Lee Remick, who chartered his airplane while filming Wild River in the Charleston area. He also sold an airplane to Wernher von Braun, the German rocket physicist and astronautics engineer said to be the preeminent rocket engineer of the 20th century. JC treasured this relationship and referred to it often. JC passed away on Sunday, January 25, 2009, after a courageous year long battle with cancer. He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Nell, son & daughter-in-law, Robbie and Debbie Garrison of Cleveland and daughter and son-in law, Trish & Rocky Ball of Atlanta. Also surviving are a brother and sister-in-law, Elbert and Agnes Garrison of Russellville Alabama and sister and brother-in-law, Betty & Don Hatcher of Montevallo Alabama, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Betty Jo & Gerald Vick of Harpersville, Alabama, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Janice & John Simms of Jasper, Alabama and many special nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Reverend Stonewall J. Garrison, mother Nancy Ann Kennedy Garrison, brothers Ralph and Billy Ray Garrison, sister and brother-in-law, Ethel and Frank Tidwell, sister and brother-in-law, Ruby and Otis Taylor and sisters LaRue Garrison and Florene Taylor.

J as he was also known to close friends and family had a knack for anything mechanical. His daughter, Trish, often called him MacGyver referring to the 1980s television series character whose main asset was the inventive use of common items to solve problems. After buying a helicopter in need of extensive repairs, his son-in- law, Rocky, asked JC what he knew about helicopters. JC replied, nothing . Armed with little more than repair manuals and years of experience working on airplanes, he dismantled the helicopter into thousands of pieces placed in hundreds of boxes and in a time period of about a year, working on it whenever he had a few hours to spare, JC rebuilt the helicopter into like new condition and quickly sold the red flying machine to an helicopter enthusiast.

JC was a devoted husband and father and liked nothing more than spending time with family and friends. He and son Robbie had a special relationship and spent long hours together at their hangar rebuilding and selling airplanes with many friends dropping by throughout the day and evening to discuss everything from airplanes to Alabama football. J was never shy about expressing his opinions and was fondly considered ornery at times. He also had a special love for cats and dogs, especially strays, unloved or uncared for animals. He could often be seen feeding these neighborhood animals and would take his own 5 rescued dogs for a daily ride in his favorite Dodge Ram truck.

The viewing will be held at Grissom Funeral Home on Tuesday, January 27, 2009, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 28, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. with Dr. Jay McCluskey, officiating. Graveside services will be held later that day at the family cemetery in Phil Campbell Alabama.

Pallbearers are son-in-law Rocky Ball, nephews Jay Donahue, Frankie, David and Elvis June Tidewell and Dillard and Doug Taylor. Honorary pallbearers are William Hyde, Vern Lee, Taylor Neal, Robbie and Bradley Tidwell and Keith Ergle.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, please make memorials to the Cleveland Animal Shelter c/o Sue Little, Cleveland, Tennessee.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Grissom Funeral Home, Cleveland, Tennessee. Phone 423.476.8575 for more information or you may send online condolences to www.grissomfh.net