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My Fellow Operators... it is never good news to hear about the loss of one of our "own"... This past November, we lost a former EST Operator, "Ernest Eugene (Ernie) Garner... Our sincere condolences to his family and former team mates.
Our thanks to Al Melendez "Nighthawk", for bringing Garner's passing to our attention. In Al's words:
"Ernie Garner, I believe he went through the EST course in the early mid 80's. When I was on the team at Clark I seem to remember an Ernie Garner rotating in who had just finished the EST course and he became our "guide". Memory is a little fuzzy but our Ernie was a big man from Tenn that was soft spoken and liked to smoke Pall Mall Red's. Always quick with a laugh or a smile, he was a buck or a staff when he came to us." I received word from a fellow member of the "Cops of Clark Air Base" group. ... please take a moment of reflection for a fellow SP.
Here is his official Obit...
GARNER, Ernest Eugene (Ernie), age 45. former Coffee County resident, died Sunday, November 16, 2008 at Hillside Hospital in Pulaski, TN.
Mr. Garner was born in Franklin County and attended school there and in Coffee County, graduating from Central High School in Manchester in 1981. He was retired from the United States Air Force, Captain of the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Dept. serving as the Executive Officer. He was also Pastor of Prospect United Methodist Church in Prospect, TN. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police.
He was preceded in death by his parents, L.J. Garner, Jr. and Linda Hastings, and grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. E.D. Hastings. He is survived by 2 daughters, Linda Betz and husband Ches of Knoxville, and Jennifer Howell and husband, Jonathon of Lawrenceburg, TN; two grandchildren, Tana and Connor of Lawrenceburg; one step-daughter, Kate Haffnerof Martin, TN; two brothers, Lindsey Garner and wife, Suzanne of Grenada, MS; the grandmother of his daughters, Lelia Sagarang of Lawrenceburg; one aunt, Gail Fraley of Smyrna, TN; one uncle, Ronald Hastings of Erin, TN; and a host of friends and extended family. The family requests memorials are made to the Ernie Garner Memorial Fund at Farmer’s Merchants Bank in Lawrenceburg, TN.
Last Call Out For Emergency Service Team
Operator Ernest E. "Ernie" Garner,
1963-2008 Rest in Peace,
He may be gone, but will never be forgotten!
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2 comments:
Hello~
Ernie Garner was my father, and it was sheer chance that I stumbled upon this blog. My father retired from the Air Force when I was only 3 or 4, so unfortunately, I do not remember much about his military life. What has amazed me, however, is how all of you have kept in touch with each other, and after all these years you still remember him. It truly has been remarkable to see the former lives he has touched.
Before he passed, my father was serving as Captain of the Lawrence County Sheriff's Dept., and preached at a small church in Prospect, TN. He single-handedly raised 2 girls, who are now 22 and 19. He was mine as well as my sister's best friend in the world.
I appreciate the blog and your kindness more than you will ever know. I wish I had heard more stories about my father's military life, because I know he loved every minute of it (He used to teach my sister and I how to march, salute, etc.) If anyone has any stories about him I would love to hear them...my email is lgarner2@utk.edu
Thank you again!
Our sincere condolences on your loss. Thank you for posting your kind comments concerning your father.
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El Jefe
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