Dr. Don C. Garrison, 75, of Easley, SC, died Saturday, February 27, 2010, after a brief illness at Greenville Memorial Hospital.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Carol Smith Garrison, of the home; one son, Major Donnie R. Garrison and his wife, Cheryl and grandsons, Bolt and Bryant Garrison, of Easley. His mother, Vera M. Garrison of Pickens; two brothers, David Garrison and wife, Ruth, of Pickens and Dan Garrison and wife Linda of Easley.
Dr. Garrison was born in Liberty, SC, son of Vera Medlock Garrison of Liberty and the late Ernest Casper Garrison. In addition to his father, Dr. Garrison was predeceased by his niece, Lynn Garrison, of Pickens.
He received his bachelor's and master's degrees from Furman University and Doctorate from Duke University.
Dr. Garrison was President of Tri-County Technical College in Pendleton, SC, from November 1971 through June 2003. In 2002, the Tri-County Technical College Commission recognized Dr. Garrison by naming the Pendleton campus in his honor.
In his early years in education Dr. Garrison was Head Coach at Palmetto High School, Assistant Football Coach at Pendleton High and Easley High. He also served as Interim President, Vice President, Dean of Allied Health Sciences, and Evening Dean at Greenville Technical College, Greenville, SC from 1963-1971.
Dr. Garrison was President of the Aerospace Education Foundation (AEF), Washington DC, from 1981-1984. He was named as a Gen. Jimmy Doolittle Fellow and a Lt. Gen. Ira Eaker Fellow for his service to AEF. His many state and national honors included the Air Force Association's Medal of Merit in 1984. He established the first memorial in SC to those who served in the Vietnam war, served as Chairman of the Board of the S.C. Military Family Care Association, and was active with the 263rd Army Air and Missile Defense Command Family Readiness Group, Anderson S.C..
He was awarded the Order of the Palmetto and the Order of the Silver Crescent by the Governor of South Carolina. He received the A. Wade Martin Award from the SC State Board for Technical Education and the Marie Y. Martin Administrators Award and the President of the Year Award by the American Association of Community College Trustees.
Dr. Garrison will be remembered as a fervent Christian, Deacon and Sunday School teacher. At the time of his death, he was a member of Rock Springs Baptist Church and the Inspiration Bible Fellowship Class.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 - 8:00PM Monday at Robinson Funeral Home- Powdersville Road.
Funeral Services will be held 11:00 AM Tuesday at Rock Springs Baptist Church with the Drs' David Gallamore and John Adams officiating. Entombment will follow in Hillcrest Memorial Park.
Memorials may be made to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, in care of Rock Springs Baptist Church, 201 Rock Springs Road, Easley, SC 29642.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home - Powdersville Road