Tom was a lifelong resident of Unicoi County, Tennessee except for his time in the military. He was a Korean War Veteran who served six years active duty in the Army and an additional three years in the Army Reserves. Tom retired from Gordan's Furniture where he was a skilled molder operator for 30 years. He was of the Baptist faith.
He was loved by everyone who knew him, he never knew a stranger, and cared about anyone and everyone he came in contact with. Tom never accumulated material wealth, because he shared with or helped anyone who needed it. He had an abundance of treasures that money could not buy and that was the love and memories of his family and friends.
Tom loved spending time with his family, traveling, and eating chinese food and crablegs. He was an avid fisherman who loved nature and animals.
Tom is preceded in death by his parents, John and Eliza Garland; his loving wife, Nancy Louise (White) Garland; his son, Wesley Dale Garland; two grandsons; one granddaughter; one great-granddaughter; one great-grandson; his brothers, Wilson Garland, Jess Garland (Jackie), and Monroe Garland; and his sisters, Bonnie Garland, Katie Garland Bowman (Luther), Bessie Garland Williams (Saul), Julie Garland Furrow (George), Edith Garland Sneyd (Vernon), and Mattie Garland Ashburn.
Left behind to cherish his memories are his children, Ruthie and Ted Hyatt, Margaret and Jerry Miller, Angela and Freddy Hawkins, and Thomas Garland, Jr.; daughter-in-law, Cindy Garland; 13 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; his special family friend, Jean Hawkins; his little Katie; and his loyal and loving protector, Eva.
Committal Service and Inurnment will be held Wednesday, October 2, 2024 at 11:00 AM with David Jack Tipton III officiating. Military honors will be rendered by the DAV Post #39 of Bluff City and members of the Army National Guard. The family will receive friends at the residence of Margaret and Jerry Miller; 413 Laughren Road, Unicoi, Tennessee 37692.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the family for funeral expenses.
Arrangements especially for Mr. Thomas "Tom" Garland Sr. and family have been made through Monte Vista Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 1900 E Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, TN; 423-282-2631.
