Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
NameJohn Rufus GARRISON 
2,3, Walter Norman Garrison,3, Sara Jo Garrison Kruchten,3, Lucille Garrison Wilson,134, MARRIAGE: GARRISON, JOHN RUFUS & SAUL, SUSAN KATHRYN,134, BIRTH: GARRISON, JOHN RODNEY,134, BTH- -GARRISON, JOHN RUFFIN,256, Brenda Lee Saul Thompson
2,3, Walter Norman Garrison,3, Sara Jo Garrison Kruchten,3, Lucille Garrison Wilson,134, MARRIAGE: GARRISON, JOHN RUFUS & SAUL, SUSAN KATHRYN,134, BIRTH: GARRISON, JOHN RODNEY,134, BTH- -GARRISON, JOHN RUFFIN,256, Brenda Lee Saul ThompsonBirthMar 19, 1942, Alamance County, North Carolina134, BTH- -GARRISON, JOHN RUFFIN,256, John Rufus Garrison
DeathMar 23, 2026, Burlington, Alamance County, North Carolina256, John Rufus Garrison
BurialBethlehem Christian Church, 3003 Altamahaw Race Track Road, Altamahaw, Alamance County, North Carolina256, John Rufus Garrison
FatherWalter Holt GARRISON (1888-1973)
MotherNorma Marie McCULLOCH (1908-1978)
Obituary Online notes for John Rufus GARRISON
John Rufus Garrison
March 19, 1942 — March 23, 2026
Burlington
John Rufus Garrison, 84, has gone home to his eternal resting place with his Lord and Savior, Jesus. After years of a long brave battle with health issues, he passed away with his family at home on March 23, 2026.
He was the youngest son to the late Walter Holt Garrison and Marie McCulloch Garrison, he was married to the love of his life Kathryn “Kathy” Saul Garrison for 63 years, who survives. Rarely could you say or see John without Kathy, they were a package deal.
Survivors also include his children: son, Rodney Garrison and wife, Andrea; daughter, Susan Harris and husband, Shannon. John was so proud of and always there to love and support his grandchildren: Hayden Garrison and wife, Kensley; Mara Harris and Cate Harris.
Other survivors include his brother-in-law, Leon Saul and wife, Betty; and many special nieces, nephews, and members on both sides of the family who are so very dear.
He was preceded in death by his siblings, sister, Sara Jo Kruchten; brother, Walter Norman Garrison and wife, Barbara; sister, Lucille Wilson and husband, Don. And by his sister-in-law, Brenda Thompson and husband, Roger; and sister-in-law, Sandra Wrenn.
A native of Alamance County, growing up on the family farm and as a member of Union Ridge Church, he set the foundations of his life in faith and family learning hard work, discipline, contentment and helping others.
John graduated from Altamahaw Ossipee where he met Kathy, asking her out on a date his senior year while shooting hoops in the gym after school. He excelled as an athlete in football and basketball earning awards and recognitions and a scholarship to play basketball at Catawba College where he continued his outstanding athletic career.
Following in his mother’s education footsteps, he graduated with a degree in Health Education, Physical Education and Driver’s Education completing his student teaching at South Rowan High School where he taught health and physical education and helped coach football and basketball. He was recruited by Groves Thread Company to work and to play basketball. John played in a competitive basketball league and YMCA volleyball league for Groves Thread and helped coach the sponsored pee-wee football team, taking them to the Pop Warner Bowl in San Antonio, Texas.
Returning home, he began working at Western High School (formerly A-O, now Western Alamance High School) where he put his heart and dedication into teaching and coaching students for 39 years. Through out his career he gave his best as a health and physical education teacher, junior varsity and varsity football coach, junior varsity varsity basketball coach, athletic director, school bus driver and driver’s education teacher. He enjoyed being a part of helping students achieve their goals and see their success in education, athletics and life. He wore many hats giving the same effort and detail whether coaching on the sidelines Friday nights to sweeping the floor afterwards.
After retirement, he was honored to be inducted into the inaugural Western Alamance High School Hall of Fame and to have the annual Male Athlete of the Year award named after him. The teachers, coaches and staff were friends who became like family over the years of John and Kathy working together at Western, still gathering to eat monthly luncheons. The Western Alamance community has always been dear to our family. The WA motto “Once a Warrior, always a Warrior” was true with John.
Family was a priority in John’s life, with time well spent together working, playing, laughing, visiting and relying on each other. Many cherished memories were made weekly at Sunday lunches, yearly beach vacations, holiday gatherings and trips with siblings over the years. Grandchildren were a joy for him, and he supported all their games and activities, even when it became difficult, he did not want to miss an opportunity to show his love for them. You would see him back in the WA stands and bleachers as they reached highschool.
John’s love for athletics, sports and competing continued throughout his life giving him the opportunity to cultivate many relationships in the community. He especially enjoyed motor sports which led him into go-kart racing with his father-in- law and brothers-in law. Stock car racing was also a favorite whether he was scoring at ACE Speedway and Rainbow Speedway or attending NASCAR Races with his son, grandson and son-in-law.
He spent many years playing church league softball, as longtime member of Bethlehem Christian Church. He organized, pitched, and enjoyed competing with his son, son-in- law and friends he played with and against, in regular season games and traveling to tournaments.
An avid sports fan, he was a lifelong supporter of the Wolfpack and the Dodgers. He enjoyed attending NC State football and basketball games with his family. John loved to watch and talk sports. Anyone who had the time would hear the sharpness of details, names, scores and stats, and if lucky a good story from his life experiences.
In retirement, he began playing golf with the Alamance County Seniors which he looked forward to weekly. Listening to music, especially gospel music which ministered to his heart and soul, was a favorite pass time. John and Kathy spent time together traveling to attend southern gospel concerts. He was a faithful son, husband, father, grandfather, family member, co-worker, friend, and fellow competitor who will be greatly missed.
The family would like to thank the folks at AuthoraCare Hospice for all their support this past year, especially Amy, Karen, Erica and Rosa who went above and beyond with their love and care. We also thank the caregivers who helped, especially Myrtle, Mary, Yvonner and Becky. We are so grateful.
A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday March 28, 2026, at Bethlehem Christian Church with the family receiving friends from 12:15 – 1:45pm with the funeral beginning at 2:00pm and graveside committal to immediately follow in the Bethlehem cemetery.
Afterwards there will be a time to visit with family in the fellowship hall. At other times, the family will receive friends at the home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: AuthoraCare Collective, Burlington Office,
914 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, NC 27215 (authoracare.org).
https://www.lowefuneralhome.com/obituaries/john-garrison 256, John Rufus Garrison
March 19, 1942 — March 23, 2026
Burlington
John Rufus Garrison, 84, has gone home to his eternal resting place with his Lord and Savior, Jesus. After years of a long brave battle with health issues, he passed away with his family at home on March 23, 2026.
He was the youngest son to the late Walter Holt Garrison and Marie McCulloch Garrison, he was married to the love of his life Kathryn “Kathy” Saul Garrison for 63 years, who survives. Rarely could you say or see John without Kathy, they were a package deal.
Survivors also include his children: son, Rodney Garrison and wife, Andrea; daughter, Susan Harris and husband, Shannon. John was so proud of and always there to love and support his grandchildren: Hayden Garrison and wife, Kensley; Mara Harris and Cate Harris.
Other survivors include his brother-in-law, Leon Saul and wife, Betty; and many special nieces, nephews, and members on both sides of the family who are so very dear.
He was preceded in death by his siblings, sister, Sara Jo Kruchten; brother, Walter Norman Garrison and wife, Barbara; sister, Lucille Wilson and husband, Don. And by his sister-in-law, Brenda Thompson and husband, Roger; and sister-in-law, Sandra Wrenn.
A native of Alamance County, growing up on the family farm and as a member of Union Ridge Church, he set the foundations of his life in faith and family learning hard work, discipline, contentment and helping others.
John graduated from Altamahaw Ossipee where he met Kathy, asking her out on a date his senior year while shooting hoops in the gym after school. He excelled as an athlete in football and basketball earning awards and recognitions and a scholarship to play basketball at Catawba College where he continued his outstanding athletic career.
Following in his mother’s education footsteps, he graduated with a degree in Health Education, Physical Education and Driver’s Education completing his student teaching at South Rowan High School where he taught health and physical education and helped coach football and basketball. He was recruited by Groves Thread Company to work and to play basketball. John played in a competitive basketball league and YMCA volleyball league for Groves Thread and helped coach the sponsored pee-wee football team, taking them to the Pop Warner Bowl in San Antonio, Texas.
Returning home, he began working at Western High School (formerly A-O, now Western Alamance High School) where he put his heart and dedication into teaching and coaching students for 39 years. Through out his career he gave his best as a health and physical education teacher, junior varsity and varsity football coach, junior varsity varsity basketball coach, athletic director, school bus driver and driver’s education teacher. He enjoyed being a part of helping students achieve their goals and see their success in education, athletics and life. He wore many hats giving the same effort and detail whether coaching on the sidelines Friday nights to sweeping the floor afterwards.
After retirement, he was honored to be inducted into the inaugural Western Alamance High School Hall of Fame and to have the annual Male Athlete of the Year award named after him. The teachers, coaches and staff were friends who became like family over the years of John and Kathy working together at Western, still gathering to eat monthly luncheons. The Western Alamance community has always been dear to our family. The WA motto “Once a Warrior, always a Warrior” was true with John.
Family was a priority in John’s life, with time well spent together working, playing, laughing, visiting and relying on each other. Many cherished memories were made weekly at Sunday lunches, yearly beach vacations, holiday gatherings and trips with siblings over the years. Grandchildren were a joy for him, and he supported all their games and activities, even when it became difficult, he did not want to miss an opportunity to show his love for them. You would see him back in the WA stands and bleachers as they reached highschool.
John’s love for athletics, sports and competing continued throughout his life giving him the opportunity to cultivate many relationships in the community. He especially enjoyed motor sports which led him into go-kart racing with his father-in- law and brothers-in law. Stock car racing was also a favorite whether he was scoring at ACE Speedway and Rainbow Speedway or attending NASCAR Races with his son, grandson and son-in-law.
He spent many years playing church league softball, as longtime member of Bethlehem Christian Church. He organized, pitched, and enjoyed competing with his son, son-in- law and friends he played with and against, in regular season games and traveling to tournaments.
An avid sports fan, he was a lifelong supporter of the Wolfpack and the Dodgers. He enjoyed attending NC State football and basketball games with his family. John loved to watch and talk sports. Anyone who had the time would hear the sharpness of details, names, scores and stats, and if lucky a good story from his life experiences.
In retirement, he began playing golf with the Alamance County Seniors which he looked forward to weekly. Listening to music, especially gospel music which ministered to his heart and soul, was a favorite pass time. John and Kathy spent time together traveling to attend southern gospel concerts. He was a faithful son, husband, father, grandfather, family member, co-worker, friend, and fellow competitor who will be greatly missed.
The family would like to thank the folks at AuthoraCare Hospice for all their support this past year, especially Amy, Karen, Erica and Rosa who went above and beyond with their love and care. We also thank the caregivers who helped, especially Myrtle, Mary, Yvonner and Becky. We are so grateful.
A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday March 28, 2026, at Bethlehem Christian Church with the family receiving friends from 12:15 – 1:45pm with the funeral beginning at 2:00pm and graveside committal to immediately follow in the Bethlehem cemetery.
Afterwards there will be a time to visit with family in the fellowship hall. At other times, the family will receive friends at the home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: AuthoraCare Collective, Burlington Office,
914 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, NC 27215 (authoracare.org).
https://www.lowefuneralhome.com/obituaries/john-garrison 256, John Rufus Garrison