TRAFALGAR
James R. “Bob” Garner Jr. passed on to his next life on Sunday, June 12, 2016. He was born into this world on Feb. 5, 1934, to James R. Garner Sr. and Edith Conquest Garner in Muncie.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Pamela A. (Moore) Garner of Trafalgar, to whom he was married on May 25, 1979, in Indianapolis; a daughter, Cindy Esham (Dave) of Mooresville; son, Mark R. Garner of Worthington; two grandsons, Josh (Tammy) Garner of Martinsville and Robert Garner of Worthington; great-granddaughters, Olivia and Samantha Garner; great-grandson, Shawn Young; and a sister, Sue Stuffel of Tell City.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother-in-law, Ivan Stuffel.
Bob attended Muncie Central High School until November 1951, at which time he left school and joined the U.S. Marine Corps. He served in Korea from June 1952 until September 1954 as a member of the Marine detachment aboard the USS Oriskany, CVA 34. He was discharged from the USMC in November of the same year.
Bob hired on at Indiana Bell Telephone Co. and retired after 37 years in 1991. He was a manager with the responsibility of installation and repair of telephones and outside plant, a position that he dearly loved.
Bob was active in the U.S. Army Reserve and retired after 30 years as a first sergeant.
He loved to travel with his wife, Pam; they cruised all over the world. Gulf Shores was his favorite winter destination.
At one time he was an avid fisherman and golfer before he got too old. He still loved to play golf weekly into his 80s.
Bob was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Franklin, United States Seagoing Marine Association, USS Oriskany Association and Telephone Pioneers of America and American Legion Post 205 in Franklin.
Bob will miss this great country and always said he “lived in the best of times.”
A special thanks to Dr. Hamid Sayar at the IU Simon Cancer Center and to all the nurses, medical assistants and staff who cared for Bob during his years with leukemia.
The Rev. Walter Howard will conduct a service at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center, 300 U.S. 31 South (Morton Street) in Franklin, with full military honors to follow. Friends may call from 4 p.m. until the service time at the mortuary.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center c/o Indiana University Foundation in memory of James “Bob” Garner, P.O. Box 7072 Indianapolis, IN 46207.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at swartzmortuary.com.
Information: 317-738-0202
