Here are a few words from Mark Garner’s friends, via Facebook.
From Barbara Hamrick, who read the story I did about Mark’s amputation last January: “Just want to thank you for reuniting my friendship with Mark Garner. We worked together at Walker County back in 1993 and remained friends over the years, even when he went to other law enforcement agencies. When you put the report about his medical problems and needed help, we reconnected and I was able to help. We have had so many laughs and chatted often on message. I will miss him and he has left quite a legacy.”
From Annette McGuire: “I can’t believe this. My heart is broken in so many pieces. He helped me and my daughter in so many ways, he was like a brother to me. I just talked to him yesterday. Our prayers and thoughts are with all of the family. This is one of the saddest days of my life.”
From Teresa Kirk Walker: “He was the kindest, most caring individual that I’ve ever met. Together we worked many cases of child abuse when we both worked in Marion County. He couldn’t stand for anyone, but especially women and children, to be mistreated. We had to hold each other back on more than one occasion to keep from hurting the ones causing the abuse. There just really aren’t many men left on earth like Mark and my heart is saddened that we have lost one of the best. He was passionate about his faith, and passionate about the love he had for his wife and daughters. My prayers go out to all of them and my deepest sympathies. It was an honor to know him.”
And from Amorette Boran, one of many whom Mark reached out to during their teen years: “Mark, I am going to miss you. You really helped me out as a teenager, and as an adult you never judged me by my mistakes. Instead you gave me a hands up. I will miss you terribly. God bless your family, my thoughts and prayers are with you all.”
There are also some beautiful tributes in the comments section at the end of this blog, and you are welcome to join in. This man had such an impact on so many lives. I have no doubt in my mind, that he knew he was loved. He saw it in you, every day.
August 28, 2015, 10:30 a.m.: The Dade County Sheriffs Office has announced the passing of Deputy Mark Garner at the age of 53. Friends say he died at home, of an apparent heart attack. I spoke with him just two days ago. He and I talked quite often, swapping stories, news tips, and Alabama-Tennessee football jokes. He invited me to speak at dozens of his DARE/CHAMPS graduations during the past 25 years. The kids in our area couldn’t have asked for a better friend or role model. I sure will miss him. Here is the announcement from Sheriff Ray Cross: “The Dade County Sheriff’s Office regrets to inform the community of the passing of a caring and devoted Deputy, Mark Garner. Deputy Garner worked as the CHAMPS Officer at Dade and Davis Elementary schools. Our sincerest prayers are with his wife, daughters and family at this time. Rest in peace dear friend! We will always remember you as Tennessee’s biggest fan!”
Here is a story I wrote about Mark in January 2015, as he was recovering from a serious illness. I hope it is a fitting tribute, and that you will join me in keeping his wife Lea Ann, and his daughters Bria and Ashton in your thoughts and prayers.
I hope there’s someone in your life that you can say this about: “If I were stranded on the side of the road, I could call (enter name here) and he’d be here in no time!” Mark Garner is that person for me.
I met Mark more than 20 years ago, in his early days as a DARE officer. DARE stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education, and has been in many schools for years. More recently, Mark has taught the CHAMPS (Choosing Healthy Activities and Methods Promoting Safety) in Dade County. Police officers visit students each week, teaching them life lessons about drugs, bullying, and making good choices. I’ve spoken at about a hundred DARE and CHAMPS graduations at schools all over the Tennessee Valley. Mark has touched thousands of lives. As I would tell the kids at those DARE programs, Mark is your friend today, and he’ll be your friend for life.
He’s also held other law enforcement jobs during his 30-plus year career, and on top of everything, he’s a great husband and dad. Mark and I have had some hilarious phone conversations, usually about football. Mark’s a diehard Tennessee Vols fan, and he knows I’m an Alabama Crimson Tide guy. When the Vols “owned” the Tide for a while, Mark let me have it. When the Tide “turned” in the Saban era, I returned the favor. It looks like the Vols are on the way back, and I’ll be ready for him. We try to top each other with Tide-Vols jokes, but Mark usually has the last laugh.
I didn’t hear from Mark over the holidays, so when he called last week, I asked him what he’d been up to. He told me quite a story.
Just before Christmas, he started having some problems with his feet. This wasn’t unusual since Mark is a diabetic. This time, however it was serious. “Ever heard of MRSA?” he asked me. I told him I I knew it wasn’t good, but really didn’t know the details. As Mark explains it, it’s an infection caused by a strain of staph bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics. It’s difficult to treat, has the potential to spread, and can be life-threatening. “I’d had an ulcer in my right foot, and I was worried about that,” Mark said. “Then out of nowhere, this infection is in my left foot, and it’s bad!”
So bad, he was rushed to the hospital where doctors immediately removed two toes and part of his foot to prevent any further spread of the infection. “I thought that was it,” Mark said, but his troubles were just beginning. Soon he was in unbearable pain, “the worst I could have ever imagined,” he said. Doctors told him a partial leg amputation needed to be done immediately. “I didn’t even have to think about it,” Mark said, “I told them whatever it takes to stop this pain, just do it, please!”
On Christmas Eve, doctors amputated his left foot and leg, just below the knee. “Let me tell you about a great Christmas,” he said. “My wife (Lea Ann) and daughters (Ashton and Bria) were in the hospital room with me, and the pain was gone. That was my Christmas miracle!” Doctors said if he hadn’t agreed to the surgery so quickly, they would have lost him. Mark said, “In just a few days, it went from a couple of toes, and what I thought was no big deal, into a life-and-death situation. And do you know what? Ever since the amputation, I haven’t had a bad day. I’ve barely had to take any painkillers. I went from terrible pain, to feeling good, almost immediately!”
His rehab program started at Siskin in Chattanooga, and continues at his home, where he awaits a prosthesis in March. “They say when I get it, I’ll be as fast as ever, which isn’t saying much since I was never that fast anyway!” he said. Even better, he’s been told his prosthesis can be painted orange and white. “I might even get it fixed up like the Big Orange checkerboard, just for you,” he told me.
He says he can’t wait to get back to work. “(Dade County) Sheriff Ray Cross said my job is waiting for me, whenever I’m ready,” he said. “He’s been great, all my family and friends have been so supportive.”
As Mark’s medical bills begin to mount, friends have started a fund at First Volunteer Bank (131 S. Cedar Avenue, South Pittsburg, TN 37380). His insurance policy has a high deductible that requires twenty percent out of pocket payments. “We’re making it a 501(c)(3),” Mark said. “I want this to be ongoing, and not just for me. I want it to help other emergency responders when they’re hit with something like this.”
Mark, Lea Ann, Bria and Ashton Garner
Mark said, “I don’t want anyone feeling sorry for me, I’m going to be fine. I’m thankful to be here, thankful the pain is gone, and thankful for all the prayers. God’s been good to me.”
I hope you’ll join me in pitching in to help Mark, and others like him who may need a helping hand in the future. I love you Mark, but I have just one request. If the Vols ever beat Bama again, don’t kick me too hard with that orange checkerboard leg, okay?
…wow. What a shock. I have had the pleasure of knowing Mark for many years….attended church with him for a long time as well. My prayers are with Leann and the girls at this time. Heaven has gained a true Saint!! RIP Mark!
I’m in shock I’ve had the pleasure to know Mark since high school. He was a good man a Godly man who was a great police officer Dade lost a good one. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.I pray that the Lord wraps his loving and comforting arms around them during this time. R.I.P my friend
Dear LeeAnn and girls I’m sorry for your loss Bro. Mark was a wonderful man and gonna be missed by so many who knew and loved him. I remember him as a joking and funny guy. I will be praying for y’all in this time of need. Love you Treva Haun
I have known Mark since I was a very young girl. I know LeaAnn and her family. And also the girls. They are very wonderful and giving people. This is a very sad thing. Mark loved life and was always a friendly smiling face. I am praying and would like everyone to also keep Mark’s family in your prayers. They are a very very close knit family and I know are extremely devastated over their loss. May you rest in peace Mark. I know the Lord is rejoicing in your homecoming for you were a Wonderful Man of God.
I’m very sorry to hear of Mark’s passing. I know he was a man of God and just think he is with him today. What a blessing. You know years ago I was told this statement when I lost my daughter. They said:” sometimes God makes people so good and perfect that he can’t stand for them to be left down here any longer. That is why we lose some very good people at young ages.” Just rest assured his travels on this earth have ended and now he gets to walk the golden road.
Was such a terrible shock to here the news this morning of Marks passing. Mark was 8yrs younger than me in school…. but my husband, Don Hicks, has worked with Mark at the Dade County Sheriff’s Dept. For many yrs. I can say that is was a truly wonderful Christian man. He always would share how God so blessed him… even in his most painful times. Such a great man of faith in Jesus Christ. Rest in Jesus my friend.
Thank you for sharing this story. I am still in shock, Mark was a good’un. One of the best.
I used to work with Mark at the Walker County Sheriff’s Office he was a DARE officer. David is right he was a great role model to the kids and would do anything for you. He could also tell some of the best war stories. I will miss him. My thoughts and prayers for comfort go out to his family
Mark was an amazing solider of the Cross, wonderful father and devoted husband! See you soon my friend!
It was amazing to see how Mark worked with our 5th grade students here at Dade Elementary. He was a caring individual who always found the time to help them. He was more than a CHAMPS teacher, he was a role model and a friend. He will be missed.
I had the pleasure of meeting Mark when I worked with his mother. He always had a joke of some sort when he would call. He would always make me laugh. You could always count on him to help and pray if you need prayer. He was a loving father, husband and friend. He will be missed.
Mark was a deputy when I was Clerk of Superior Court in 1980’s. He was such a pleasant, dedicated officer. He always had a smile and was indeed a southern gentleman. His Mother introduced the lady that married my uncle Jack . Mary Jo remained friends with them for many years. I just recently saw him at Randy’s Restaurant and asked how he was. He smiled and said he was doing fine. He was a great example of how we should live our lives.
Condolences to his wife and children and to his Mother and family and friends.
Mark was our DARE Officer while I was in elementary school, around 1995. Although I grew up in Marion County, TN, I was raised an Alabama fan. I wore a team shirt to school on a day when Mark was in our classroom. As he greeted us individually, I remember him asking me, “Did you get dressed in the dark this morning?” I’ve been long gone from the area, so I never really knew him as anyone other than my school’s DARE Officer. My 20 year-old memory tells me that he was a pretty nice guy, even if he did cheer for the wrong football team. I send my deepest, most sincere condolences to his family and friends.
I really do not get on FB that often. I decided to get on and kill some time today. I had remembered receiving a friend request a few weeks earlier from a good friend and colleage of mine. I decited to look through the posts first and saw where another friend Karen Gass Nelson posted that he had passed away. NEVER PUT OFF UNTIL TOMORROW WHAT YOU CAN DO TODAY !
I have known Mark since my EMS days with Dade County EMS, as well as when I served on the Trenton City Commission. He was a wonderful person who could deal with almost any situation with such ease. His smile was truly contagious. His heart was made of gold. I offer my sympathy to his beautiful family. I am so regretful that I did not answer that friend request sooner.
I met Mark in the fall of 1976, when I first attended Tennessee Temple Academy. He was always very supportive of me, especially when I would get “picked on”. He was sort of a bodyguard for me at times.
Mark also set me up on a blind date with a lady “he” figured was right for me. (Turns out, I proposed on the first date. Five months later, we were married. He was the best man). Guess he figured right.
I was in Nashville with my family the morning after several medical appointments for our sons when I got the news about Mark’s passing. We had not talked in a couple of weeks, so I have to say I wish we could have chatted one more time. That’s one regret I will have to live with. I’m going to miss his jokes (especially his Tennessee/Alabama variety).
We are gonna miss Mark. He was a wonderful Christian, husband, father and friend. He is the kind of friend you only get once in a lifetime.
Our love,thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Lea Ann, his daughters Bria and Ashton, and his mother Mary Jo.
I had the honor of working with Mark for many years at Richard HardyMemorial School first as a DARE teacher and then later when I was principal and he was one of our board members. He was well liked by the students and was always around to offer them advice and encouragement. He was devoted to his family, his religion, and his community. Mark will truly be missed by the many people who called him friend. My prayers go out to Leann, Bria, Ashton, and his entire family.
I’ve kn own Mark since he was a teen ,I was his pastor 1979-1980,and I also sold him and LeeAnn their first home.
I will miss Mark but thanks to God for the Legacy he left behind.
May God bless his family.
I missed Mark’s phone call last week while I was in Nashville in Training. I wish I would have talked to him. If anyone knows where the 1930 Ford he wanted me to check is let me know. I have listened to his message in my phone several times and know how I miss him. We talked so often.