Robert Lee Garrison

Robert Lee Garrison was born June 18, 1931 in the small community Blue Mound, Oklahoma. Robert was the son of Melvin Charles and Lucille (Burk) Garrison. As a young boy Robert began his education in Blue Mound but later completed his high school in Wagoner. He was soon united in marriage to Velta Sybil (Lankston) on May 13, 1950 in Pryor, Oklahoma. The couple established their initial home in Pryor where he worked for a construction company building roads and bridges in the area. Robert and Velta moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1951. Robert then accepted a position with Bethlehem Steel Company. His job included making molds for the numerous products that the company made. Robert continued working there until the closure of the facility. Robert then gained employment with Oklahoma Steel and Casting. He continued working for them for over 20 years when he retired in 1981. However, Robert did not remain retired for long he soon began working at Cust-o-Fab in Sand Springs, where he worked until his final retirement in 1993. After his retirement Robert still continued to work. He purchased some land at Blackdog Estate near Hominy where he raised several head of cattle as well as bailing hay on the property. Robert also enjoyed traveling. He and Velta would travel to Texas frequently for fishing trips in the Gulf of Mexico. He also loved to tinker on cars and was always active helping someone with something. Robert also enjoyed coon hunting when he was younger. One thing that gave Robert great pleasure was teasing and arguing with his family and especially his grandchildren. Robert passed from this life on Saturday night, December 5, 2009 in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 78 years. Survivors are his daughter Teresa Garrison of Tulsa, Oklahoma, son Ralph Garrison and his wife Margaret of Cleveland, Oklahoma; two brothers Bill Garrison of Claremore, Oklahoma, Jimmy Garrison of Maize, Oklahoma; two sisters Iva Canoe of Dry Pronge, Louisianna, Shirley Wright of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, three granddaughters Amy O'Hair and her husband Michael of Warrenville, South Carolina, Kim Spires of Cleveland, Oklahoma, Christina Garrison of Cleveland, Oklahoma, five great grandchildren Josiah Spires, Braden Heavin, Peighton O'Hair, Hannah Spires and Garrison O'Hair as well as a host of other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents Robert was preceded in death by his wife Velta Sybil Garrison nee (Lankston) and a step son Richard Baker. Funeral services will be held 10:30 am, Thursday, December 10, 2009 at the Western Heights Baptist Church with Rev. David Head officiating. Burial will be in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Claremore, Oklahoma under the direction of Chapman-Black Funeral Home in Cleveland, Oklahoma.