Barry Anthony Garrison

Barry Garrison’s passion and love of life didn’t end with his death. Barry passed away in the early morning hours of June 24, 2023, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was surrounded by loved ones who will continue to honor his legacy by living their lives to the fullest – and demonstrating gratitude for the man he was.

When your family uses the following terms to describe you, your life was pretty exceptional: gritty, courageous, a jack-of-all-trades, master tinkerer, life-long learner, an excellent storyteller, dedicated, helpful, a practical joker, resilient, and occasionally stubborn (ok, often stubborn).

Barry was raised by his loving parents, Diane and the late Claude Garrison, in Spring City, TN – a true country boy’s paradise. His simplistic yet educational style of living developed him into a lover of the outdoors, taught him to work with his hands, but most of all, taught him the value of hard-won lessons and to never make the same mistake twice. In those days, he was happiest squirrel hunting in the woods with his Remington single-shot shotgun – now, a treasured family heirloom.

After graduating from Rhea County High School in 1978, Barry worked across the United States as a Pipefitter. As a young man, Barry developed his impressive ability to play six-pocket pool, a skill he had kept his entire life. Additionally, having traveled across many interstates and highways, Barry possessed the remarkable ability to recall key landmarks to travelers – at times, down to the exact land marker.

After years of “working with my back, not with my brain,” Barry graduated with honors from the Electronic Computer Programming College in 2005, receiving his Information Technology Degree. He then began his second career as an Information Technology Specialist at UNUM Insurance Company, where he gained popularity with his co-workers for his work ethic, storytelling abilities, stewardship, and practical jokes. After his retirement in 2017, he began to channel his first love of connecting with nature through camping, growing his garden, and spending time with his family.

In a word, Barry was curious. His inquisitiveness and keen intellect drove his pursuits. His passion was to thoroughly understand the intricacies of each part of a task, machine, or building guidelines and then master the requisite tool for that undertaking. Barry was the type of person who built his own home – literally – where he could identify the internal location of every wire, pipe, screw, and nail he used to construct it. Avery Garrison (Barry’s beloved surviving brother) perhaps described Barry in the best way – “Barry was the type of person that actually read the instruction manuals!”

Barry is predeceased by his father, Claude Garrison, who passed away on April 6, 2019. Until the day of Claude’s death, Barry and Claude talked almost daily, shared gardening tips, and continued to work on home projects together. He was also predeceased by his paternal grandparents, Arthur and Bess Garrison – who truly adored their grandson. He spent many of his happiest childhood days roaming their countryside land in Wolf Creek, TN., his maternal grandparents, Thomas and Jean Trotter, of Dayton, TN., and lastly he was predeceased by his stepfather, Harwell Dabbs. Combining their outgoing personalities and senses of humor made for exciting family holidays and lasting memories.

Left behind to cherish Barry’s memory are his loving and devoted wife, Donna Garrison who was the love of his life. He was always chivalrous in word and deed as he opened her car door on their first date to their last car ride – and every time in between. He is also survived by his loving mother, Diane Dabbs, and his brother, Avery. His mother carries on the same sense of humor and master-storytelling abilities both she and her late son possessed. Avery carries on the ‘Garrison Grit’ of passion and perseverance as he stood by Barry in both good and challenging periods throughout his life.

Barry was daddy to his three beautiful daughters, Maria, Elizabeth, and Amanda. While each inherited a different characteristic of Barry’s personality, their love and devotion manifested through many holidays spent together where they shared warm memories. Additionally, Barry was committed to serving as a step-up dad to Rhonda and Daniel – who cherishes the love, commitment, and fatherly lessons he provided them for over 25 years.

Barry earned his prized title of papaw from Corbin, Chris, Cassie, Maddie, Everett, Fielding, Justin, and Jaylee. He was ‘papaw beard’ to Vivian – later converted to ‘papaw’ after he shaved his long beard. Barry’s sense of humor and playfulness was evident in his seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, as each was given a unique nickname. Additionally, like all good papaws in the world, he gave his grandchildren dangerous but necessary gifts - like tomahawks. Barry is also survived by a special brother-in-law, Ron Sampson. Lastly, Barry is survived by his beloved cat of 18 years, Mo. Mo lived the ideal dream life of a cat: hunting, drinking milk, and snuggling with Barry at the end of each day.

To honor Barry’s unique ‘sense of style’ please feel free to wear your favorite pair of jeans if you feel comfortable. That was his chosen thing to wear.

A Celebration of Barry’s Life will be held in the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home on Thursday June 29, 2023 at 1:00 pm with Min. Deborah Shaw and Travis Hines officiating. The family will receive friends Wednesday night June 28, 2023 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. There will be no visitation on Thursday prior to the service. He will be laid to rest in the Hamilton Memorial Gardens.

Arrangements are under the care of the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson.

Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com