Laurel Jacob Garman (Gar) was born September 19, 1942, in Orville, Ohio to Jacob and Irene (Brown) Garman. He was raised in the North Lawrence, Ohio area. He passed away July 15, 2022, in Lowry City, Missouri.
At the age of 12, Gar went to live on a dairy farm, where he helped milk cows and do other chores.
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. During this time, he married his high school sweetheart, Carol Byler, and to this marriage two children were born. Later, Gar received his master’s degree at Southern Illinois University, where he also coached track and was the assistant coach for football.
Gar married Donetta (Smith) Garman in 1987, and Gar became the father to Sheridan Garman (Neeman) and Jeremy Garman.
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 of the home, Gary Garman of Thornton, Colorado, Jacquie Love (Jay) of Odessa, Missouri, Sheridan Garman-Neeman (Scott) and Jeremy Garman (Crystal) of Loraine, Illinois. 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.
He is also survived by a brother Neil Garman (Mary) and Luanna Power.
Gar was preceded in death by his parents and by a sister, Rowena Baughman.
He leaves behind countless friends, nieces, nephews and memories, and he will be greatly missed.