[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 49 (Friday, April 12, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E453]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JOHN GARRARD

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 12, 2013

  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Mr. John Garrard, 
Jr., a beloved and respected South Alabama public servant and 
businessman who recently passed away at the age of 86.
  A native of Flora, Mississippi, John was valedictorian of his high 
school class before he enlisted in the United States Navy during World 
War II. While in the Navy, John served on an ammunition carrier 
supplying America's forces battling the Japanese in the Pacific.
  After the war, John returned home to continue with his education. He 
earned a degree in Economics and Business Administration from Millsaps 
College and then moved to Atmore, Alabama, where he would spend the 
remainder of his long and fulfilling life giving to the community he 
loved.
  Shortly after arriving in Atmore in 1948, he took on the role of 
educator and banker in the South Alabama community. He taught in 
Escambia County High School before joining the staff at the First 
National Bank and Trust of Atmore. His hard work and dedication were 
evident. In 1974, he was appointed the bank's fifth president and 
served in this capacity until his retirement in 1986. Even after he 
retired from the bank, John was retained as vice-chairman with special 
duties in customer service and public relations.
  John turned his gaze to public service in 1996 when he first ran for 
a seat on the Atmore City Council. He served until 2012, contributing 
significantly to the economic growth and development of Atmore.
  In 1981, John was named Citizen of the Year by the Atmore Area 
Chamber of Commerce. In February 2011, the Chamber presented him with 
the Lifetime Achievement Award.
  Additionally, he was an active member of the Atmore Rotary Club, 
Atmore Public Library Board of Directors, First United Methodist 
Church, Atmore Historical Society, and Atmore Area Hall of Fame 
Committee. John was also involved in a local prison ministry at 
Fountain Correctional Institute for almost 15 years.
  As a World II veteran, he travelled to Washington, D.C. in September 
2010 as part of the Honor Flight South Alabama program. I was honored 
to greet him at the National World War II Memorial where I had the 
honor of thanking him for his service to our country.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of South Alabama, I would like 
to personally extend my condolences to his two sons, John and David, 
and his grandchildren, great grandchildren, step grandchildren and many 
friends. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

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