James (Jim) Edward Garrison

Ava, Missouri

James (Jim) Edward Garrison, 92 years, 2 months, 22 days old, passed away on May 20, 2017 at Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare Center in Ava, MO.


Jimmy was born February 28, 1925 at Ava, Missouri to Floyd and Sylvia (Archer) Garrison. Jim attended Ava schools through the eighth grade but entered the Army as soon as he could enlist. His military career spanned 24 years and was filled with excitement and danger. He served in WWII and Korea, fighting overseas and was stationed in many different countries, as a paratrooper he was assigned to the 82nd, 11th and 101st Airborne divisions being the survivor of over 150 jumps.

Jim and Nancy Marie Davis were united in the early 50's in North Carolina and to this union a son Jimmy Jr. was born, Marie and Jimmy were also foster parents to several children through the years. Jimmy's passion's were motorcycles, old fast cars, unusual cars and flying machines, and flying. He loved visiting with people about the unusual machines parked in his yard, and had immense pride in being a veteran and proudly flying the American flag. He was a member of the American Legion and VFW in Ava for many years. Jimmy and Marie owned the Ava Motel for several years, and operated Teen Town, a place for local youth to gather under supervision.

Jimmy was preceded by his parents, wife Marie and son Junior, brother Howard, and sisters, Wyonia and Leonia. He is survived by a stepson Gene and wife Pattie Garrison, Cape Girardeau, Mo, and step grandson Kenny Garrison and family. Also surviving are three sisters, Helen Miller of Ava, Brenda Souza of Mansfield, Mo, Etta Mae McBride , of Cushing, OK, and two brothers, Jerry and Katie Garrison, of Norwood, MO, and Freeman Garrison of Cushing, OK.

Funeral services for James (Jim) Garrison will be held Wednesday, May 24, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. in Clinkingbeard Chapel, Ava with Oren Alcorn officiating and full military honors following service by Troy Herd American Legion Post 112 and U.S. Army. Visitation will be Wednesday from 1:00 p.m. to service time in the funeral home. Memorial contribution may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital at the funeral home. Cremation to follow funeral services.