Larry Edward Garner

Larry Edward Garner, 70, of East Ridge passed away Monday, December 25, 2023. He was a graduate of East Ridge High School class of 1972 and attended Cleveland State College. A tremendous baseball player (1970-72) he was named All-America in college and was taken in the Major League draft by the San Diego Padres. As a Pioneer, Garner led the city in strikeouts for three consecutive years, finishing with a school career record of 201. His career earned run average was a stingy 1.63. He remains the only pitcher in ERHS history to strike out 20 batters in a seven-inning game. After graduating, he continued his career at Cleveland State, leading the conference in strikeouts and was named to the All Tennessee Junior College Athletic Association team. He continued his baseball career at UTC where in 1976 he led the nation in hitting with a 484 average. He was named to the All-America team that year, prior to the draft. Larry was a member of the National Baseball Association.

Larry was tremendous at so many things, being a father and grandfather especially, and was loved dearly by his family and so many, many friends. If you were his friend, you were his family. He had a true heart of gold and immense love for everyone that crossed his path. If you knew him, you loved him.

Dad loved the wind in his hair weather it was on a motorcycle or just cruising around in one of his cool cars, (he had many!) His smile and his laughter brighten so many people every day. To say he will be missed is an enormous understatement. His love and laughter will continue on forever in so many of us that were blessed enough to call him Dad, Big Poppy, brother, Lucky Larry, Lar-Bear and so many other beautiful things. Though he has left us here on earth, he will live on forever in our hearts. He was truly a blessing here on earth and now in Heaven.

He was a faithful patron of Bud’s Sports Bar, a member of the Elks Lodge and worked at 423 Wholesalers, LLC.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Lorene Garner and a son, Joshua Smallen.

Survivors include his daughter, Brandi (Jeff) Locke; brother, Donny (Kathy) Garner, former wife, Mary Martin; grandchildren, Braxton Lukas Locke, Britton MacLaine Locke, Christian Smallen and Morgan Whitmore; niece Bailey (Zack) Cobb, Nephew, Tyler Garner; special family members, Christa Thornton and Lara Munford and a host of friends.

Funeral services will be held at 1 PM Wednesday, January 3, 2024 at the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, 404 South Moore Road, East Ridge, TN with the Rev. Wayland Stewart officiating. Entombment will follow at Lakewood Memory Gardens, South. The family will receive friends from 3-8 PM Tuesday, January 2, 2024 at the funeral home.

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