Laurel “Gar” Garman, Class of 1963

Laurel (Gar) Garman’63, died July 8, 2022. Gar was born September 19, 1942, in Orville, Ohio to the late Jacob and Irene (Brown) Garman. He was raised in the North Lawrence, Ohio area. He graduated from Smithville High School where he excelled in football and track, receiving a track scholarship to Otterbein College where he studied physical education and English. He was in track and field, the “O” Club and Zeta Phi (Zeta) fraternity. Later, Gar received his master’s degree at Southern Illinois University, where he also coached track and was the assistant coach for football.

Gar has led a full life which included coaching, selling insurance, being a motivational speaker, owning businesses, writing books, being a reporter and a sports editor, being a private investigator, breaking and training horses, playing international Rugby, riding broncs in the PRCA rodeo, and many, many other things.

He also left countless children with the advice, “All dogs bite, all guns are loaded and all horses kick.” And offended many men by saying they were the thorn between roses.

However, his favorite career was being the pastor at Round Prairie Baptist Church in rural Appleton City, Missouri, for 16 years. He served as chaplain at several facilities and was anxious to share his faith with others.

Gar is survived by his wife, Donetta Garman, children Gary Garman, Jacquie Love (Jay), Sheridan Garman-Neeman (Scott) and Jeremy Garman (Crystal). He also leaves behind grandchildren: Jake Mann (Rhiannon), Connor Boisen (Kaitlyn) and Kyle Boisen, Amber Burnett, Lydia Neeman, Emmaline Garman, Emory Neeman, Xander Garman, Juliette Garman and Adalynn Garman and great grandchildren: Zoe, and Jacob Mann, and Harper Kern.