James Franklin Garner

James Franklin Garner, 85, of Poplar Bluff, Mo. passed away Saturday, June 8, 2013 at Westwood Hills Healthcare Center in Poplar Bluff.

Mr. Garner was born Aug. 21, 1927 in East Prairie, Mo. He was an active member of Westwood Baptist Church, and had retired from Missouri Department of Transportation as an area superintendent. Mr. Garner was also a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He enjoyed spending time with his family, playing games, and watching Wheel of Fortune.

On July 28, 1985, he married Joyce Kelley Galbraith in Blytheville, Ark. She survives.

Other survivors include six children: Allen Garner (Christy) of Charleston, Mo., Jeff Garner of Sikeston, Mo., David Casey, of Omaha, Neb., Hother Hamilton and Patricia Dodd (Robert), all of Poplar Bluff, and Brian Galbraith, of Lawson, Mo.; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; a sister, Jean Coleman (Rick) of Fort White, Fla.; two brothers, Glen A. Garner (Barbara), of Hagerstown, Md., and David M. Garner (Bertha), of Marion, Ill.; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

His parents, James C. and Myrtle Zuck Garner, son, James Galbriath, and brothers, Edgar Garner, Lonnie Garner, and Ronald Garner preceded him in death.

Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will follow at 10:30 a.m. in the funeral chapel with his grandson, Pastor Christopher A. Dodd, and Dr. Steve Proctor officiating. Burial with full military honors will be 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at Mt. Zion Cemetery in Steele, Mo.