Joe Garrison
Joe Garrison, 73, passed away June 21, 2023.
Joe was born in Hobart on Feb. 27, 1950. He was the fourth child of O.B. and Bernice Karr Garrison.
Joe graduated from Anadarko High School in 1968. In 1972, he graduated from Southwestern Oklahoma State University with a bachelor’s degree in industrial education.
He taught industrial arts at Midwest City High School from 1972-1978. Joe furthered his education by receiving a master’s degree in administration from then Central State University in Edmond in 1975.
Joe’s father, O.B., managed lumber yards for Antrim Lumber Company.
In the summer of 1977, Joe worked on the loading docks of Rounds and Por-ter Company in Oklahoma City.
In the summer of 1978, he was offered a full-time position working as an inside sales rep.
In late 1978, he was offered the north central Oklahoma outdoor sales position for Rounds and Porter, which moved him to Enid in January 1979.
Joe had two daughters, Jenifer Martin of San Juan Capistrano, Calif., and Jillian Reinkemeyer of Tomball, Texas.
Joe met Diane Berkenbile at Emmanuel Enid in 1984 and they were married there on Feb. 14, 1987. They made their home in Enid until moving to Hennessey in 1991 when they purchased Hennessey Lumber.
Upon purchase, they changed the name to Garrison Lumber and on June 1, 2023, celebrated 32 years in business.
Joe served as a small group teacher and deacon at both Emmanuel Enid and First Baptist Church, Hennessey. He also served on the Hennessey Public Schools Board of Education for nine years.
After being diagnosed with ALS in 2020, he eventually became homebound.
Joe is survived by his wife, Diane, of the home; daughters Jena Martin and Jill Reinkemeyer and husband Eric; seven grandchildren; two sisters, Jane McPherson of Broken Arrow and Gerry Bishop and husband Gary Don of Chickasha; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Linda Bonham and Sue Garrison; and four grandchildren.
A celebration of life service was Tuesday, June 27, at the Eagle Event Center with Tim Taylor officiating.
Cremation arrangements were by Cordry Gritz Funeral Home.