Varonel James "V.J." Garrison

Varonel James (VJ) Garrison, 67, of Sugar Valley passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 19, 2012 at his residence after battling Parkinson’s Disease for many years. He was born on October 24, 1944, the son of James D. Garrison, and the late Addie Antle Reed Garrison. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Mary Lynne Garrison of Sugar Valley; daughter, Melinda Lynne Garrison of Calhoun; father, James D. Garrison of Grandview, TN; sister, Maxine Mathes of Spring Hill, FL; brother, Doyle Garrison of Grandview, TN sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Joyce and Charles Gheen of Sugar Valley; sister-in-laws, Peggy Garrison of Spring City, TN, Peggy Woodby of Mohawk, TN and Cindy Seals of Spring City; and mother-in-law, Betty Stinnett of Spring City, TN. Special care giver, Jo Bennett and several nieces and nephews and many aunts and uncles also survive. VJ was a 1962 graduate of Spring City High School and a 1971 graduate of Austin Peay State University. He served 4 years in the United States Marine Corp including two tours of duty in Vietnam. He retired as Chief of Law Enforcement for the Department of Natural Resources in 1997 after 25 years of service to the state of Georgia. He enjoyed fishing, quail and grouse hunting and the great outdoors. Eulogy will be delivered by VJ’s good friends Ricky Foster and Ron Bailey. Honor Guard from the Department of Natural Resources will serve as pallbearers. Funeral Services to celebrate the life of VJ will be held at 2:00pm on Sunday, September 23, 2012 from the Chapel of Thomas Funeral Home with Pastor Gary Rustad officiating. Burial will follow in the Sugar Valley Baptist Church Cemetery with the Department of Natural Resources providing graveside honors. Family will receive friends at Thomas Funeral Home on Saturday, September 22nd from 5:00 – 8:00pm. You may leave the Garrison family online condolences at www.thomasfuneralhomecalhoun.com Thomas Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Varonel James (VJ) Garrison.