Edgar Clifton Garth Jr.'s Obituary
Born in Montgomery, AL, Ed served in the US Air Force from the age of 17, to help support his mother and siblings financially. He was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant and served in the Korean War until he was honorably discharged.
After serving his country, he spent 3 1/2 years studying Electrical Engineering; most notably, at Auburn University, before taking a job with Southern Bell (AT&T) in Atlanta, GA. There, he earned a First-Class Radiotelephone Operator License. Ed served as an Engineering Supervisor, and eventually started a family.
Ed was never one to sit idle or remain indoors. He loved physical activities and seeing new places. As a young father, when he wasn’t travelling the Eastern seaboard; laying telephone cables, he took his young family on day trips. They would climb Stone Mountain and Brasstown Bald or play in the river at Indian Springs.
After moving to Florida, Ed coached his sons' basketball team and spent many nights and weekends on the ballfields and beaches playing/practicing baseball and football with each of them. After retirement, he enjoyed taking long walks on the beach and long bike rides at the local parks well into his 80's. He also enjoyed travelling with his sons across the country to visit the national parks.
Ed loved being with his family. Family was extremely important to him, and he actively involved himself with his children’s and grandchildren’s formal education, desiring them to become the best that they could be. He always found great joy in making himself useful to family and friend alike, whether providing fatherly advice, fixing electrical/mechanical appliances, or simply sharing in someone else’s joys and sorrows.
Above all, Ed strove to love God with all his heart and emulate the life of his Lord and Savior. He will be sorely missed by all that knew him.
Ed was preceded in death by his younger brother, Lewellyn Garth of Montgomery AL. He is survived by his older sister, Edna Bird of Montgomery, AL.; his younger sister, Bobbie Robbins of Montgomery, AL; 4 sons; in order of birth, Michael Garth, Christopher Garth, Brian Garth, and Scott Garth.
Memorial Services will be held on February 16, 2024, 2:30pm, at Florida National Cemetery with well-deserved honors from MacDill Air Force honor guard.
NOTE: Please do not order flowers for Mr. Garth's service. The cemetery restricts floral arrangements for urn interments to one only. The family appreciates your kind thoughts and support.
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