Robert "Bob" Garner

          Memorial services for Robert “Bob” Garner, 85, of Lufkin, will be held on Monday, November 19, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. at Faith Assembly of God Church in Pasadena, Texas with Rev. Walter Robbins officiating.

          Mr. Garner was born January 29, 1933 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the son of Neil Glenwood Garner and Elna (Jorgensen) Garner, and died Tuesday, November 6, 2018 at his residence.

          After graduating from high school in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Bob went to the University of Missouri on an NROTC scholarship, where he was an honor student in the school of agriculture, studying forestry. In the summer he sailed to England, France, and Cuba. In his sophomore year, Bob was in a serious automobile accident with a lengthy recovery resulting in the loss of his scholarship and an honorable discharge from the Navy. After recovering, he went to Texas and attended Southwestern Assemblies of God College and changed his major. Bob then met and married Evelyn Inman. He was a loving husband and father. They moved to Pennsylvania where he pastored a church in Stroudsburg for three years. While working for Esso Research and Engineering in Baytown, Texas, he was then transferred to Carlinville, IL where he set up the chemical laboratory for Monterey Coal Company’s new mine. Bob was an active member of Carlinville First church, where he loved teaching Sunday School. He taught and loved teaching Bible Studies and Christian fellowship. Bob had sweet memories of the church and the town. He lived in the Carlinville area for 46 years before returning to Texas in 2016 to be closer to family.

          He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Evelyn Garner of Lufkin; daughter, Cynthia Garner of Houston; son and daughter-in-law, Dale and Dawn Garner of Houston; son, Dean Garner of Lufkin; daughter and son-in-law, Cheryl and Ruben Osorio of Rancho Cucamonga, CA; daughter, Jana Garner of Rancho Cucamonga, CA; daughter, Dana Garner of Bali, Indonesia; granddaughter, Sarah Garner; grandson, Joshua Garner; grandson, Gabriel Osorio; granddaughter, Raquel Osorio; along with several nieces and nephews.

          Mr. Garner was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, JoAnne Smith, Rita Simon, and Betty Hoffermann; brother, Bill Garner; and nephew, Steve Garner.

          Special memorials may be made to the Carlinville First church in Carlinville, Illinois or to the Victory Assembly of God Church in Lufkin, Texas

          Shafer Funeral Home, Lufkin directors.

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