HAROLD S. GARRISS
Oct. 3, 1937-May 13, 2007
Harold Stokes Garriss, 69, born in Wilson, N.C., and raised in Goldsboro, passed away Sunday surrounded by his family.
He graduated from Goldsboro High School in 1955. Af-ter high school he served his country in the U.S. Army where he completed multiple tours including Vietnam, Turkey, Thailand and Germany. He earned multiple honors including The National Defense Medal and a Good Conduct Reward with four knots. Earning top of his class honors in both German translation and electronics and teletype schools, he continued as a military electronics instructor for the Aberdeen Proving Ground Training School. Despite injuries from serving in the Vietnam War, he endured one additional year of military service in the Central Intelligence Division. After retiring from the U.S. Army, he was active at Saint Luke United Methodist Church of Goldsboro by teaching Sunday school classes and singing in the choir. During these years, he had also worked as a manager of Hardee's, manager of McDonald's, and a photography department manager
at Nichols Department Store. His love for family, music and people led him in various pursuits including being a member of The Third Century Singers for over 10 years. He also helped with the Center Stage Theater and started other community youth programs such as the Choralers of the Boys and Girls Club and the Music Makers of the Community Programs. Later, he served as a member of the Disabled American Veterans for many years. During his retirement he devoted his life to God and family.
Harold was the son of the late Berry Stokes Garriss and Rosa Lee Stott Orr. He is survived by his loving wife, Freya Isis Garriss of Pikeville; his sister and brother-in-law, June and John Foil of Rosewood; his wife's sisters and brother-in-law of the Netherlands, Gerda Van Capelle, Rhea and Frans Leuven. He is the father of two sons and daughters-in-law and two daughters and sons-in-law; Mike and Rose Garriss of LaGrange, Tim and Gina Garriss of Greenville, Ginny and Mike Minard of Goldsboro, Becky and Lonnie Hebron of Pikeville.
In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by nine grandchildren, Carrie Nicholson, Jeannie Bowen, Leslie Garriss, Kristina Minard, David Minard, Morgan Garriss, Sammy Minard, Matthew Hebron and Jacob Minard. He is also survived by two great-grandchildren, Allison and NatalieAnn Bowen and two close family friends, Cheryl Andrews and Jamie Henderson.
Military honors will be rendered Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Seymour Funeral Home and a memorial service will follow in the chapel with the Rev. Ralph Painter officiating. The family will only receive visitors following the service at Seymour Funeral Home.
A graveside memorial service will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at Winstead Cemetery at Parkwood Mall in Wilson.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 930-B Wellness Drive, Greenville, N.C. 27834.
Expressions of sympathy for the family may be emailed to www.seymourfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are with Seymour Funeral Home and Cremation Service.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on May 15, 2007 1:47 PM