Lt. Col. Harold Garner USA, Ret.

In Loving Memory of Lt. Col. Harold "Deke" Johnson Garner USA, Ret. April 21, 1931 ~ March 21, 2021 Harold J. "Deke" Garner graduated a life well lived on March 21, 2021, exactly a month shy of his 90th solar return in Surprise, AZ after a year long decline in health. He was born in Watertown, CT to Cornelia and LeRoy Garner in 1931, the youngest of three children. Hal, as he was usually called, was extremely gregarious and very popular throughout his life. In high school and college he was an extraordinary athlete excelling in baseball (4 years varsity), basketball (3 years varsity), soccer and track as well as being the team captains for each. His prowess in baseball (.400 batting average) was such that the NY Yankees considered him to integrate their team but reportedly shied away because of the controversy caused over Jackie Robinson joining the Dodgers a year prior. Hal accepted a scholarship to the University of CT (UConn) where he continued his career in basketball and track. In 1953, he became the school's record holder and state champion in the 100 and 220 dashes. He later played with the Hartford Eastern Pro League and the Oakville Red Sox Squad. In 2008, Hal was inducted into the Watertown High School/Bob Cook Jr. Hall of Fame; He is considered one of Watertown's greatest athletes. Hal received his B.A in Education from the University of Nebraska in 1971 and his M.A in Education from Pepperdine University two years later. Hal's second 20-year career was as Chief of Operations with the City and County of Honolulu WORK HAWAII Division for Vocational Rehabilitation. Hal not only made his mark on the sports field, but also as a military officer. He rose from the rank of second lieutenant--coming out of the university's ROTC program--to lieutenant colonel. He spent 20 years in active duty and spent two and a half tours in Vietnam, first as an advisor and then in recon special ops. He received numerous awards for heroism including the Purple Heart, a Silver Star and a pair of Bronze Stars. Deke was a true sports fanatic. He attended as many professional, college and sometimes high school football, basketball games and track meets he could. He also worked as a top basketball official during Hawaii's high school and college basketball seasons. He was an avid reader of mostly political and crime mysteries. Hal's absolute favorite pastime, however, was being surrounded by his descendants, especially his grandchildren who lovingly called him "Pop Pop." Hal was an exceptional husband, father, father-in-law, uncle and grandfather---gentle, wise, with a huge sense of humor and laugh. Everyone who spent time with Hal was impressed by him. He had a huge heart and was generous to a fault. He was the "cool uncle," the "funny grandpa," a joy to be around. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister June Rhinehart and brother LeRoy Garner, II and his only son, Harold J. Garner, II (both shared the same birthday). Those left to mourn yet cherish Hal's memory is the love of his life and wife for 66 years, Shirley (Brown) Garner; his two daughters and sons-in-law Asiila (Ali) Rasool and Stephanie (Scott) Garner; his daughter-in-law Iris Avila Garner; his "adopted son" and nephew Chris Greene; 9 grandchildren and one great grandson: Faheem, Abi, Garner, Jael, Muhammad, Josiah, Hannah, Ryan, Malia and Toa Idris; cousins Norma Garner and Gwendolyn Hatcher; six nephews (Roy, Arthur, Karl and Marc Rhinehart, Chip Garner and Jerry Greene); two nieces (JoAnna Rhinehart and Leslie Garner) as well as a multitude of distant cousins and friends from Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts and other states. Hal will be sorely missed by his family and friends.