Johnnie W. Garris

Johnnie W. Garris, 86, of Owensboro, passed away on Wednesday July 7, 2010 at Owensboro Medical Health System. He was born in Daviess Co., Ky. to the late Marvin and Eleanor Norman Garris. He was retired after 47 years as a mechanic with Transit-Mix Concrete Co. and was a U. S. Navy veteran of World War II. During the war, he was in the Battle of Iwo Jima and was in Tokyo during the signing on V. J. Day. He also earned 2 Battle Stars, silver and bronze. He enjoyed watching Nascar and was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 696.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Willa Dean Garris, a daughter, Wanda Basham and husband Gary of Philpot, a son, Mike Garris and wife Jennifer of Owensboro, three grandchildren, Jennifer "Jenny" Garris of Owensboro, Shannon Basham of Ponte Vedra, FL, and Heather Ford and husband Mark of Philpot, and two great grandchildren, Easton and Avery Ford, both of Philpot.

Services will be 2:00 P.M. Friday, July 9 at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory. Burial will follow in Owensboro Memorial Gardens with full military honors. Visitation will be from 2:00-8:00 P.M. Thursday and after 11:00 A.M. Friday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1302 Frederica St., Owensboro, Ky. 42301.