Marion Henry Garland

Mr. Marion Henry Garland, 77, of Ellenwood, and formerly of Thomaston, died Saturday, March 29th, 2014 at the Tennova Residential Hospice in Knoxville, TN. Graveside funeral services for Mr. Garland will be held on Wednesday, April 2nd, 2014 at 11:00 a. m., in South View Cemetery with Rev. David Bradshaw officiating. Mr. Garland was born in Thomaston on October 18th, 1936, a son of the late Ben Frank Garland and Sally Bell Garland. He was a 1956 graduate of R. E. Lee Institute and after graduation entered the U. S. Navy. He served on the aircraft carrier USS Bennington and was also stationed in the Philippines and New York. While in the Navy Mr. Garland was one of seven survivors of a military plane crash in Guam in 1960 that claimed 89 lives. After leaving the military service Mr. Garland located in Atlanta and was a self-employed dental technician for many years. He was of the Baptist faith and was a charter member of the Trinity Baptist Church in Thomaston. Mr. Garland loved gardening, fishing with family, spending time with his grandsons, and entertaining neighborhood kids. Mr. Garland is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Monica and James Travis of Knoxville, and a step-daughter and step-son-in-law, Lynn and Scott Webb, all of Knoxville; a sister, Judy (Charles) Hardage of Lanett, AL; grandchildren, Johnathan Travis, William Travis, Jacob Travis, Kevin Webb, Eric Webb and Derron Logan; his special companion of almost 30 years, Alice Coursey, and her children, Yvonne and Steve Guettler, Theresa and Wade Jones, and Wayne and Gail Coursey. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lois Thomas Garland. Mr. Garland's family will receive friends at Pasley-Fletcher Funeral Home on Wednesday from 9:30 until 10:30 a. m. Pasley-Fletcher Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Remembrances and condolences may be expressed at www.pasleyfletcher.com