Philip Edward Garner

Former Gordon County Commissioner Philip Edward Garner, passed away Wednesday October 19th in Hospice of Atlanta. He was 73. Phil was born January 14, 1938 in Evansville, Indiana. Son of the late Rev. Lionel Garner and Madeline Webber Garner. Phil graduated from Huntsville High School, then earned his Bachelor's Degree from Bethal College, and later received his Master's Degree from Emory. He was a veteran of the United States Army and a member of St. Timothy's Episcopal Church. Phil was a well known journalist having been a news editor for CNN, a columnist for the Atlanta Journal, as well as a former editor for the Atlanta Magazine. He was also the public relations executive for one the nation's largest advertizing firms Oglivy-Mather Advertizing Agency. As a journalist Phil was a well respect writer and editor having won the nation's highest award for newspaper journalist, The National Headliner Award as well as several Sigma Delta Chi Journalism Awards. He was well respected as an educator having been a professor of journalism at Shorter College and Georgia State College. He is survived by his loving wife Patti Champion-Garner of Fairmount. One son, Philip Andrew Garner of Tucker. One daughter, Julie Cable and her husband Quinton of Athens. A brother, James Garner and his wife Dorothy of Farmington, New Mexico. Two sisters, Susan Holden and Beth Starkey both of Buffalo, New York. Two grandchildren, Katherine and Mark Garner both of Decatur. His aunt, Evelyn Blalock of Calhoun. One daughter in law, Dorothy Morecroft of Decatur. A brother in law, Randy Starkey of Chattanooga along with several beloved nieces and nephews. Memorial services for Philip Edward "Phil" Garner will be conducted Monday November 7th at 2pm from the Chapel of the Cathedral of St. Phillip in Atlanta, with Pastor Fr. Lewis Tonsmeire officiating. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Calhoun /Gordon County Council for a Literate Community, Inc @ Wayne Minshew, 1151 Highway 53 Spur, S.W., P.O. Box 2290, Calhoun, GA 30703-2290, (706) 624-1111 You may leave the Garner family online condolences at www.thomasfuneralhomecalhoun.com Thomas Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangement for Philip Edward Garner.