Obituary of Gerald Joseph Garrison

In loving memory of Gerald Joseph Garrison (Jerry), Who was born in Pasadena, California on the 22nd of November 1954 and passed away peacefully at his home in University Place after a long and brave battle with cancer on April 4th 2011. He was surrounded by his loving family who never left his side! Jerry was a strong man who had to overcome many obstacles. His iron will motivated him on to accomplish many extraordinary things in his life! Jerry's early years began in Temple City, CA. He attended Don Bosco Technical School in Rosemead CA. A high powered and elite high school. Jerry graduated 1973 with an Associates Degree in Metallurgical Technology. Jerry's lifelong dream had always been to become an LA Deputy Sheriff. In completing his Sheriff's training in December of 1976 he was sent as a young deputy to work the tough LA County jail. He later switched to the Montebello Police Department where he worked some of the roughest streets in LA during a very difficult time in LA's history. Jerry had numerous brushes with death in his short career and decided to move his young family to Sandpoint Idaho, where he returned to college and went on to receive an MBA and CPA at the University of Idaho. He worked the next 20 years in banking, special assets, and as a financial consultant. Jerry was always known to have a beautiful singing voice and with some, self-taught, basics from his sister, Judy, learned to play the guitar. Singing and playing the guitar was always an important part of his life. He also was an accomplished woodworker and did beautiful stained glass. Jerry met Melissa in January of 2007. On April 24th 2008 they married in a beautiful sunset wedding on the beach in Maui. Jerry and Melissa's life was always filled with travel and adventure. In May 2008 he became an adjunct college professor for St. Martin's University where he taught a condensed accounting course at the Shanghai Maritime University in China. On their first wedding anniversary, Jerry and Melissa traveled to the island Kauai, it instantly became their special and most favorite place in the world! It was were dreams and goals were planned for their future. Jerry's last and very special trip to the island was in December 2010. Kauai always proved to be a magical and healing place for Jerry right up to the very end of his life. He never stopped making plans to return there! Jerry will always be remembered for his unstoppable sense of humor and practical jokes! He is remembered fondly by his daughters for his sense of silliness and the ability to get down on the floor and play, sing and read to his grandchildren. His grandchildren will tell you that Papa was fun to dance with and did a great imitation of an elephant! Jerry had a lot of love to give and to many he was larger than life! Jerry is survived by his loving wife, Melissa Garrison; his daughter's Nicole Herrara, Heidi (Ben) Harris, Bonnie Garrison and Becky Garrison. Step daughter's Lindsay Hixenbaugh, Hilary Brown and Molly Brown. 7 grandchildren. Sister's Sherrie Keelin, Nancy (Ken) Ingram and Judy Garrison (aka; Sister Jane Frances Garrison); and brother James (Kathy) Taylor. He is preceded in death by his parents, Marjorie and George Garrison. Jerry's wishes were to have a private family celebration of his life. A Catholic Mass will be held in Kauai and his ashes then scattered off the Napali Coast near Polihali beach. A place that held a special meaning for Jerry. His family requested that a memorial donation might be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.