George Duane Garner

George Duane Garner, age 77, of Midlothian, Virginia, loving husband, father, friend, Coastie, and golf buddy passed on from this world on February 22, 2024. He is now enjoying taking his golf swings on the greener pastures of Heaven with his Savior, Jesus Christ.

Born in Houston, Texas on April 5, 1946, to Captain George Irving Garner and Frances Louise Smith Garner, Duane would not grow up a Texan, but there was a bit of Texas always in him. His childhood years were spent playing baseball and making music on the trumpet and drums. One of Duane’s first jobs in high school was in a florist shop in Alexandria, Virginia, where he learned to make beautiful flower arrangements. He studied Economics at RPI, which is now VCU, and had a long, successful career at Universal Corporation where he retired as an Internal Auditor in 2010. He and Diane are faithful members of Faith Landmarks Ministries in Richmond. Duane followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the United States Coast Guard Reserves where he faithfully carried out his duties as a Port Securityman First Class for over 35 years. It was one of his greatest joys to serve his nation by protecting its seas and borders.

Duane was preceded in death by both of his parents and his life-long buddy, Blitz, their beautiful Husky. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Ruth Diane Garner; his brother Allan Jay Garner; daughters Jennifer Caffrey (husband T. Christopher Caffrey) and Kristine Althaus (husband Ron Althaus); and grandchildren Kaitlyn Caffrey, Branden Caffrey (wife Nerissa Baroni Caffrey), Madison Caffrey, Kayla Althaus, Jonathan Caffrey, Ethan Althaus, and Tobias Althaus.

A service celebrating the life and legacy of Duane will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 10:00 A.M at Clover Hill Church (Bailey Bridge Road) with a reception immediately following. Military honors will be presented graveside at 1:00 P.M. at Dale Memorial Park (Newbys Bridge Road).

If you would like to send flowers in Duane’s memory, please send them to Clover Hill Church on Friday, March 15, 2024. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation at www.t2t.org.

Duane/Dad/PaPa you are already missed beyond words. You loved us deeply and set an example of honor, duty, faithfulness, devotion, and hard work. Though you left us too soon, we are grateful for God’s mercy in that you did not suffer long. Through much tears and heartache, we are rejoicing in knowing where you are and that you are completely healed. We love you always and forever!