James William Garrision, a 43-year resident of Abington, Massachusetts, passed away on Sunday, March 24th at the age of 92. Jim was born in rural Overpeck, Ohio on January 29, 1920. The oldest son of Roy James and Florence Aurelia (Eubanks) Garrison, he had three brothers (George, Walter and Roy) and eleven sisters (Lillian, Mildred, Thelma, Matilda, Mary, Ada, Martha, Theresa, Anna, Elsie and Janet). Jim is survived by five of his sisters: Ada Setser (Dolores, CO), Theresa Reumann (Hamilton, OH), Martha Pelton and Ann Smith (West Palm Beach, FL), and Elsie Clayton (Turin, IA).
As a young man, Jim worked for the Youth Conservation Corp in Ohio, the Civilian Conservation Corp in Yellowstone National Park, and the American Can Co. in Hamilton, Ohio. On July 20, 1938, he joined the United States Navy and completed boot camp at Norfolk, Virginia. He was on board the USS Medusa docked in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on December 7, 1941 when World War II began. Throughout the war, Jim survived several close calls including the bombing and rapid sinking of the USS DeHaven off Savo Island in the South Pacific, where two thirds of their crew was lost. He also was aboard the USS Meredith when it was hit by a contact mine off Utah Beach during the invasion of Normandy. Following the war, he enjoyed shore duty in Alaska, Florida, Maine, Rhode Island and Massachusetts as well as sea duty on board the USS Baldwin, USS Bright, USS Lady, USS Michener, USS Lloyd Thomas and USS Charles R. Ware. Mr. Garrison completed a 30-year military career following his last tour of duty in Bermuda where he was honorably discharged on August 1, 1968.
On June 8, 1954, Jim married Hazel E. (Hendrick) Fernald in Newport, Rhode Island and together they raised their five children: Bette (Fernald) DeVeuve of Westport, Massachusetts, Robert Fernald (deceased) formerly of Braintree, Massachusetts, James Fernald of Raymond, New Hampshire, Carol (Garrison) McKenna of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Debra (Garrison) Van Tassel of Longmont, Colorado.
Jim and Hazel settled in Abington following his naval career. Jim worked for Star Market for 15 years and Hazel worked at the South Weymouth Naval Air Station. They enjoyed gardening and their pool as well as time with their 16 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Following Hazel’s death in 1995, Jim renewed old friendships attending many Navy reunions and made new friends at the Abington Senior Center, the Fleet Reserve Association, the VFW, and the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association. Memorial donations may be made to any of these organizations. A true patriot, James W. Garrison was forever proud of his service to his country.
His services will be held Thursday March 29 at 8:15 AM from the Blanchard Funeral Chapel (Rte. 58 @ the rotary) Whitman, followed by a funeral mass at 9 AM in St. Bridget Church, Abington. A committal service will follow @ 12:45 PM in the Mass National Cemetery, Bourne. Visiting hours will be held Wednesday March 28 from 6-8 PM.