Garland Joseph Wampler

Garland J. “Doc” Wampler, 89, died November 27, 2023 in Sebring, Florida. He was born on February 5, 1934 in Weyers Cave, Virginia to Frank Wampler and Ada (Hollar) Wampler. After graduating from Weyers Cave High School in 1950, he studied Biology at McPherson College in Kansas where he met Glenna Hawbaker. They were married on December 27, 1958. After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Biology in 1961, he enrolled in the University of Virginia, graduating with a Doctorate in Medicine on June 6, 1965. He completed his internship in Des Moines, Iowa, initially starting a private practice in Mount Jackson, Virginia. As his young family grew, he moved his practice and home to Bridgewater, Virginia. On December 1, 1978, he began a 21-year career working for the Commonwealth of Virginia at Western State Hospital in Staunton, Virginia. After a divorce, he resettled in Augusta County, first in Fishersville and eventually in Greenville. In 1994, he met Elaine (Yeakley) Shenk. They were married July 7, 1995 and soon moved to Mint Springs, Virginia where they enjoyed numerous pastimes together, particularly RV camping. On an RV trip to Sebring, Florida in 2002, they fell in love with the community and the weather, moving there soon after. If you knew Garland, you knew the sound of his laughter; he made deep and meaningful friendships almost instantaneously and his friends were often considered family. He was generous with his time and resources for causes he found worthy: he once donated an altar he built to a local church and joined the cleanup efforts in Louisiana after Hurricane Andrew devastated the region; he supported his alma mater, area food banks and various other organizations. He was preceded in death by both parents, his four brothers and three sisters and his loving wife, Elaine Shenk Wampler. He is survived by his three children: Neal (and Marsha), Emily (and Chris), Joseph (and Carolyn); his three stepchildren: Eric (and Charlene), Troy (and Cassandra) and Todd (and Nanci Luna Jimenez), 13 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and 2 very dear neighbors, Lois Hotchkiss and her daughter, Pam Deneve. The burial is private and the date for memorial service is to be announced.