Chaplain Raymond Eugene Garrison 

A gentle and spiritual soul peacefully left us 30 Dec 2024.  Ray was a Disciples of Christ minister and US Army Chaplain.  He was born in Okemah, OK 23 August 1941 to Kenneth and Beulah Garrison. He was a 1963 graduate of Phillips University and 1967 graduate of Phillips Theological Seminary earning a MDiv.  He pastored a Disciple of Christ Church in St. Albans WV until 1969 when he received the call to serve as an Army Chaplain. He loved his country and served in the military for 20+ years . He was assigned to serve in South Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division where he was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor.  Chaplain Garrison was stationed at Ft. Wadsworth, Ft. Knox, Greece, Ft. Monmouth where he served on the faculty of the Chaplain School, Stuttgart Germany, and Ft. Belvoir.  In 1982 he earned a MA in Marriage & Family Therapy from California Family Study Center.  He retired from the Army in 1989 and continued work as a LMFT in Columbia, SC for 21 years. He assisted in various churches performing weddings and preaching. Chaplain Garrison was active in his retirement serving on the Board of Directors of Chaplain Regimental Association and Retired Chaplain Associations.  

Ray was a kind man who loved his family. His granddaughters Elena and Julia were the special joys of his life.  The girls warmed his heart and always brought a smile to his face. He enjoyed family gatherings, music, travel and theater. His companion was his cat Schatzi. Ray followed sports and was an avid fan of Duke Basketball, Sooners Football, and Cubs Baseball.  Ray had a great sense of humor. He loved to eat and never missed a good meal.  

Chaplain Garrison is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Diane Schulz Garrison, loving daughter Sonia Garrison of WA, granddaughters Elena Wheeler and Julia Wheeler of WA, Danielle Garrison, Craig Garrison, and brother David Garrison of OK.  He is survived by dear sisters and brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews, and many friends and colleagues.  Ray leaves us with many fond memories and will always be in our hearts.  He is much loved and missed.

Memorial contributions may be made to Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research or Gary Sinise Foundation.

Friends and family may offer online condolences at www.piercejeffersonfh.com