Kenneth Barr Garrison Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Kenneth Barr Garrison, age 94, of Pierce City, MO passed away on Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at his home in Pierce City, MO. Mr. Garrison was born in Purdy, MO on Sunday, May 23, 1926. He was the son of Hubert and Eula (Barr) Garrison. Mr. Garrison married Mary Ann Bobski on Saturday, June 18, 1955 in Pulaskifield, MO. He was a WWII veteran who served in Europe in the infantry. After WWII, he attended University of MO-Columbia on the GI bill and received his bachelor’s degree in Education. He started his teaching career in vocational agriculture at Stella, MO. In 1960, Mr. Garrison moved to Pierce City, MO to teach vocational agriculture until his retirement in 1985. He was advisor to hundreds of boys and girls for the FFA chapter. Several of his students went on to serve as state officers for the organization. After retirement, he and his wife bought the D.S. Flowers hardware store. Later, some individuals wanted to buy the store and dismantle it to move it to Branson, MO; however, Mr. & Mrs. Garrison wanted to keep it as part of the history of Pierce City, MO. It started out as an outlet store to eventually become an antique store called "The General Store". Mr. Garrison attended 2 to 3 auctions a week to buy items to sell in the store. His specialties were hunting and fishing items as well as antique tools. The store was also an unofficial pawn shop where people could bring items when they were low on money. After the Pierce City tornado, FEMA wanted to tear down the store but an architect firm from Springfield, MO told Mr. Garrison the store was structurally sound, and the decision was made to save the store. Again, a piece of Pierce City MO history was saved. Mr. & Mrs. Garrison spent 6 weeks salvaging items from the store and sold the items at a 3-day auction. Mr. & Mrs. Garrison sold the store to Norma & Michell Bacarisse who rebuilt it and it became the Broken Store. Mrs. Garrison continued to run the store for many years and Mr. Garrison refilled the store with his many auction items. Mr. Garrison was an avid hunter and fisherman. He ran a gun shop out of his home for many years where he repaired, sold, and traded firearms and knives. He frequented the Pierce City coffee club many a morning wherever it was held over the years. Mr. Garrison was able to travel on the Honor Flight to Washington DC in 2011. Surviving are the following: a son, Dennis Garrison of Joplin, MO; and a daughter, Terry Taff of Florissant, MO; one brother, Clayton Garrison of Austin, TX; and one grandchild, Ashley Garrison. Mr. Garrison was preceded in death by his parents, Hubert and Eula Garrison; his wife, Mary Ann Bobski in 2011; and a grandchild, Kayleigh Taff in 1987. The family will receive friends at Lakin Funeral Home in Pierce City, MO on Sunday, March 14, 2021 from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM followed by a Prayer Service at 6:00 PM with Father Matt Rehrauer. Funeral Mass will be at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Pierce City, MO on Monday, March 15, 2021 beginning at 10:00 AM with Father Matt Rehrauer officiating. Burial, with Military Honors, will follow at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Pierce City, MO. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Lakin Funeral Home in Pierce City, MO.

Kenneth Barr Garrison

May 23, 1926 - March 10, 2021

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