James Garner Jr.

James Rice Garner Jr., 93, passed away at a local hospital Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2014, after a brief illness. He was born in Guild on Jan. 8, 1921 and was the son of the late James Rice Garner Sr. and Alice Condra Garner. He was also preceded in death by a grandson, Anthony Preston Rosette. Jim was a World War II veteran joining the U.S. Air Force in January 1942. He was a belly gunner in a B-24 and served in the southwest Pacific. He was a member of the Tennessee Air National Guard and retired as a Senior Master Sergeant in 1977. He began working for the U. S. Post Office in 1951 as a mail carrier in North Chattanooga and retired after 25 years of service in 1976. He was also a 50 year member of the National Association of Letter Carrier. Jim was a 50 years 32nd-degree Mason, a member of the Alhambra Shrine and a lifetime member of the VFW. He was a Weather Watcher for Channel 3 News for Paul Barys. He was also an amateur radio operator with the call letters W4HHF. He is survived by his wife of over 72 years, Eula Mae Parker Garner; two daughters: Alice (Billy) Smalley, of Chattanooga, Dianna (Jerry) Branchcomb, of Hixson; one granddaughter, Sandy Smalley McSpadden; three grandsons, Andy (Tracy) Rosette, Brian Ruston and Jason Ruston; three great-grandchildren, Blake, Hunter and Michaela; one sister, Virginia (Lewis) Holloway, of Jasper; and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 4 to 8 p.m. CST today, Feb. 7, 2014, at the funeral home. The services will be held at 11 a.m. CST Saturday morning, Feb. 8, 2014, at the funeral home. The service will be officiated by the Masons and Brother Lewis Holloway. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. CST Sunday at Hamilton Memorial Gardens in Chattanooga. To send online condolences visit www.tatefh.com Arrangements by Tate Funeral Home, LLC.