Bobby Gene Garrison

Bobby (Bob) Gene Garrison of Castleford and Buhl passed away Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at Canyons Retirement Center.  He passed peacefully asleep in his chair.

Dad was born June 14, 1932, the fourth child of Herman and Katie (Birkes) Garrison. A sister joined the family three years later. When Dad was twelve years old, his younger sister passed away and his father was stricken with a debilitating disease. With his two older brothers serving in the war, Dad and our grandmother provided for the family. Dad was always grateful to his family and neighbors for their help. Dad worked from that point forward.

At sixteen years old with his brothers back from the war, and a rain-ruined tomato crop, Dad moved forward on his own. He moved first to California and then, with encouragement from his brother Darrell, to Castleford, Idaho. They worked as farm laborers and on the potato sorting crews.

In Castleford, Dad met and fell in love with a girl from Arkansas, our mother Velma Brawley. They married in 1950 and stayed that way until Mom’s passing in 2023. They brought three sons into this world, Bill, Tom, and Ray. Their journey together was guided by Dad’s jobs, which included welder at G.M., sandblasting in Minnesota, concrete forming in California, a sawmill worker in Oregon, mining in Cobalt, Idaho, and core drilling in Colorado. They were always drawn back to Castleford. Dad continued working on the land settling in working for John Noh and Noh Sheep Co. Dad then bought his own farm and was very content there until his retirement. 

Upon retirement and moving to Buhl, Mom was sure they would do a lot of fishing. Much to her chagrin, Dad kept getting jobs, finally working for Twin Falls Canal Company as a ditch rider. He enjoyed working with the farmers and stayed until his health prevented him from doing the job as he thought it should be done. Dad enjoyed and remembered all the people he worked with throughout the years.  

All along his journey Dad was guided by, and passed on to us, any job worth doing is worth doing right, The Ten Commandments, and the Grace of God through Jesus Christ. Dad truly lived forgiveness and “love your neighbor as yourself.” Dad’s family was of utmost importance to him. He loved each of us unconditionally.

Bob is survived by his sons, Bill (Karen), Tom (Miriam), and Ray (Michelle); eight grandchildren; seventeen great grandchildren; and brother-in-law James (Joan) Brawley.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Velma; sisters, Montella and Lillie Lewise; and his brothers, Harold and Darrell.

We would like to thank all of the people at Canyons Retirement Center for the care and kindness shown to Mom, Dad, and to us their family during their stay there. Thank you, Dr. Mason, for your care and compassion. Thank you, Nedra Korte and your daughter, for your visits and compassion. Thank you, Naoma Saunders, for your caring and reminders of the love of Jesus.

Memorial service will be held at 11:00 am, Friday, February 2, 2024, at Farmer Funeral Chapel, 130 9th Ave N, Buhl.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Bob's memorial webpage at www.farmerfuneralchapel.com.