Rev. Thomas Garner

The Rev. Thomas Gailor Garner Jr., 86, died Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014, after a lengthy Parkinson's illness. Born in Nashville on Aug. 21, 1928, he was ordained an Episcopal priest who graduated from East High School in Nashville, and Tennessee Tech in Cookeville, Tenn., and St. Lukes School of Theology in Sewanee, Tenn. He served in the United States Army in Japan during the Korean War and later in the United States Information Service in Korea and Indonesia. As a priest he served churches in Columbia, Tenn., Monteagle and Midway, Tenn., Charles City, Va., Leesburg, Va., Tampa, Fla., Trion, Ga., Georgetown, Del., Church Creek, Md., and Trenton, N.C. He was director of the Houston Museum in Chattanooga, and president of the Chattanooga Music Club. He taught at Tampa Prep and UTC and was a published author. As a parish priest and educator he was greatly admired and appreciated for his intellect and talents. He is survived by his wife, Caroline; daughter, Laurie; son, Gailor III (Tara); grandchildren, Parker and Caroline Ford, Thomas IV and Clara Garner; and brother, Jack. Memorials may be sent to Alexian Village Resident Scholarship Fund, 437Alexian Way, Signal Mountain, TN 37377 or a charity of your choice. A private burial service will be at a later date. This announcement is courtesy of Ralph Buckner Funeral Home and Crematory.