Dr. Frank Watson Garlock

Frank was fourth in the line of nine children. He has two surviving brothers, Don Garlock and Victor Garlock; three surviving children, Shelly Garlock Hamilton, Randy Garlock, and Gina Garlock Greene; fourteen grandchildren (to whom he’s known as Pop-Pop), and eight great grandchildren. He loved his family well.

Frank met the love of his life, Flora Jean Fox in 1949. They were married on January 3, 1952. They made music together, and this was their greatest joy. Frank was an accomplished trombonist, music theorist, and music/Bible scholar. Flora Jean was an accomplished hymn player and preceded Frank in death in September 2019.

Frank has three honorary doctorate degrees. He completed his undergraduate degree in Bible and music at Bob Jones University in 1951, his master’s degree in music theory at the Eastman School of Music in 1958, and almost completed his earned doctorate degree as well at Eastman.

In 1960, Frank was called by Dr. Dwight Gustafson at Bob Jones University to come teach in the music program. While there, he started a trombone choir that grew to 30 members and a faculty brass quintet that traveled extensively. He taught trombone lessons, theory, and directed a vesper choir. Dr. Garlock, fondly known as Dr. G, was at BJU until 1978.

Dr. G started the Majesty Music, Inc. sacred music publishing company in 1972 and has published numerous octavos, choral works, brass works, a hymnal, and books on biblical music philosophy—“The Big Beat: A Rock Blast” and “Music in the Balance.”

Dr. G has also written an autobiography—“I Being in the Way, the Lord Led Me,” and books—“Just Show Up,” “How Big Little Things Can Be,” “The Rock Generation,” “Our Song,” and most recently a book called “Simply Garlock,” including 57 of his original songs and why he wrote them.

Frank and Flora Jean served the Lord together in music for 68 years, leading the music at several churches (the last one being Southside Baptist Church), leading the music at The Wilds Christian Camp, teaching at BJU, recording a “Men of Praise” album, choral albums, piano albums, and Christmas musicals.

The Garlocks had a heart for missions and traveled to over 50 countries visiting missionaries. Dr. G helped develop the music program at Instituto Universitario Christiano de Las Amerîcas in Monterey, Mexico. He learned Spanish when he was 70 years old so he could teach at the school and in Spanish-speaking churches more effectively. He felt led to supply the funds for numerous talented Hispanic students to go to Bible college.

Frank Garlock is dearly loved by his family members as well as Christians touched by his ministry from all over the world. He lived the last five years of his life in his daughter Gina’s home. He passed peacefully from this life to the next on March 3, 2023. He will be greatly missed.

A visitation for Frank will be held Saturday, March 11, 2023 from 2:00 PM to 4:15 PM at Faith Baptist Church, 500 W. Lee Rd, Taylors, SC 29687 followed by a funeral service at 4:30 PM in the church sanctuary.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hope for the Home 733 Wade Hampton Blvd. Greenville, SC 29609 or by clicking https://secure.anedot.com/hope-for-the-home/donate

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mackeycenturydrive.com for the Garlock family.