1921
Thomas
2008
Thomas Lee Garrity
April 22, 1921 — May 20, 2008
Thomas Lee Garrity, 87, of Silvis, formerly of Orion, died Tuesday, May 20, 2008, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City.
Funeral services will be 10:00 on Saturday, May 24, 2008, at the Orion United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held from 3:30 - 8:00 p.m. on Friday at the Kirk, Huggins & Esterdahl Funeral Home, Ltd, Orion. Interment will be in the Western Township Cemetery. Military rites will be conducted by the Orion American Legion Post #255. Memorials may be made to the Orion United Methodist Church, the Orion Lions Club or to the Orion American Legion Post #255.
Tom was born on April 22, 1921, in Rural Township, Illinois, to Thomas and Florence Morgan Garrity. He married Dorothy Blaser on October 12, 1947, at the Milan Methodist Church. She preceded him in death on December 8th, 2006.
Tom started his career with Hardin Sales and Service in Orion; he worked his way through the company retiring from the Chevrolet and Buick Dealership after 22 years of service, 17 of those as a partner. He later was employed as a contracting officer in procurement with ARMCOM at the Rock Island Arsenal for 17 years, and then became a bus driver with the Orion School District.
Tom was a member of Orion United Methodist Church and served on many committees in the church. He was also a member of multiple service and fraternal organizations including the Masonic Lodge in Coal Valley where he was a 32nd degree Mason, he was a charter member of the Orion Lion's Club and a charter member of the Orion Sportsman's Club. He sat on the Planning and Zoning Board for the village and was a member of the Orion American Legion Post #255.
Tom was a WWII Marine Veteran serving in the Pacific Theatre as a Japanese translator. He translated for many of the P.O.W.'s. He also served in the battle of Iwo Jima among others. Tom had a love for bowling, golfing, fishing and his wife's cooking. He enjoyed their family vacations every summer to Lake George in Minnesota. His true love was his family and spending time with his grandchildren.
Survivors include
Son Tim (Stephanie) Garrity Orion
Daughter Jan (Roy) Gustafson Orion
Grandchildren Joey, Ellen, Katie Garrity Orion
Alex & Michael Gustafson Orion
2 Sisters Lois Mullen Coal Valley
Elaine (Richard) Smart Coal Valley
Bro-In-Law Ed (Bev) Blaser Milan
Sis-In-Law Ginny (Vic) Blaser Miller Dublin, OH
Several Nieces & Nephews
Online condolences may be left for Tom's family by visiting his obituary at www.esterdahl.com
Funeral services will be 10:00 on Saturday, May 24, 2008, at the Orion United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held from 3:30 - 8:00 p.m. on Friday at the Kirk, Huggins & Esterdahl Funeral Home, Ltd, Orion. Interment will be in the Western Township Cemetery. Military rites will be conducted by the Orion American Legion Post #255. Memorials may be made to the Orion United Methodist Church, the Orion Lions Club or to the Orion American Legion Post #255.
Tom was born on April 22, 1921, in Rural Township, Illinois, to Thomas and Florence Morgan Garrity. He married Dorothy Blaser on October 12, 1947, at the Milan Methodist Church. She preceded him in death on December 8th, 2006.
Tom started his career with Hardin Sales and Service in Orion; he worked his way through the company retiring from the Chevrolet and Buick Dealership after 22 years of service, 17 of those as a partner. He later was employed as a contracting officer in procurement with ARMCOM at the Rock Island Arsenal for 17 years, and then became a bus driver with the Orion School District.
Tom was a member of Orion United Methodist Church and served on many committees in the church. He was also a member of multiple service and fraternal organizations including the Masonic Lodge in Coal Valley where he was a 32nd degree Mason, he was a charter member of the Orion Lion's Club and a charter member of the Orion Sportsman's Club. He sat on the Planning and Zoning Board for the village and was a member of the Orion American Legion Post #255.
Tom was a WWII Marine Veteran serving in the Pacific Theatre as a Japanese translator. He translated for many of the P.O.W.'s. He also served in the battle of Iwo Jima among others. Tom had a love for bowling, golfing, fishing and his wife's cooking. He enjoyed their family vacations every summer to Lake George in Minnesota. His true love was his family and spending time with his grandchildren.
Survivors include
Son Tim (Stephanie) Garrity Orion
Daughter Jan (Roy) Gustafson Orion
Grandchildren Joey, Ellen, Katie Garrity Orion
Alex & Michael Gustafson Orion
2 Sisters Lois Mullen Coal Valley
Elaine (Richard) Smart Coal Valley
Bro-In-Law Ed (Bev) Blaser Milan
Sis-In-Law Ginny (Vic) Blaser Miller Dublin, OH
Several Nieces & Nephews
Online condolences may be left for Tom's family by visiting his obituary at www.esterdahl.com
To send flowers to the family in memory of Thomas Lee Garrity, please visit our flower store.