Jack Garris We mourn the loss of a wonderful husband, father, brother and friend. He was known by many as Smiling Jack for his beautiful smile. Others knew him as the Colonel. He was a graduate of the Citadel and received his MBA from Boston University. After serving two tours in Vietnam, he commanded troops for the multinational peace keeping forces in Siani, Egypt. He was the Commander of the 2nd 327th Infantry Battalion of the 101st Airborne Division and Commander of the 3rd Brigade 2nd Infantry Division overseeing the most heavily armed boarders (DMZ, Korea). Other assignments included attending the Command and General Staff College and the Air War College, Rapid Deployment Joint Task Force, G3 of I CORP and his last assignment was Chief Joint Doctrine Command, Joint Chief of Staff Pentagon. Jack Garris lost his final battle to cancer on August 12, 2008. I am a soldier Do not cry for me For I’m not here I have seen battle, death and fear For 30 years I gave my life Defending your freedoms from strife Always remember me For a soldier isn’t just another memory. Jack was a son the late Carl J. and Hortense Page Garris. Surviving are his wife, Myrna Graham Garris of the home; daughter, Jackie Lynn (Jeffrey) Wools of Leesburg, VA; son, Jack Ray (Laura) Garris, Jr. of Seattle, WA; grandchildren, Brandon Wools, Alexander Wools, Jack Ray Garris, III, and Ella Rose Garris; brothers, Carl J. Garris, Jr. of Irmo, S.C., Steve (Janice) Garris of Lake View, S.C.; sisters, Alice Faye (Joe) Kulmayer of Williamsburg, VA, Hilda (Skeet) Stephens of Dillon, S.C. and numerous nieces and nephews. Jack Garris was preceded in death by his brother, Randy Garris. Visitation is Thursday, August 14, 2008 at 7:00 9:00 p.m. at Cook Funeral Home of Lake View, S.C. Funeral Services will be Friday, August 15, 2008 at First Baptist Church of Lake View, S.C. at 3:00 p.m. The burial service will be held at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the American Cancer Society or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society South Carolina Chapter, 1247 Lake Murray Boulevard, Irmo, S.C. 29063. Visit our guestbook at www.charleston.net/deaths. Tags: 1963
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