50 years and going strong

Norm Noble

On November 12, 2014, Marge and Jim Garrison celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at their home in Sun Lakes. It was the second marriage for both. Not only were all seven of their children present at the wedding in 1964 (Jim has three; Marge has four), all were present at their 50th celebration. At the wedding in 1964, Marge’s 19-year old son was Jim’s best man and Jim’s 15-year old daughter was Marge’s maid of honor. How unusual is that?

Although Jim was from San Francisco and Marge was from Minneapolis, they met in Ogden, Utah where Jim was working for General Mills; Marge was a teller in one of the local banks. Six months after their marriage, his company moved them to Montana where they continued raising their kids.

Speaking of their kids, they became highlights of Marge and Jim’s lives. Short resumes follow: David, the oldest, became a Marine pilot and served in Vietnam where he received the Silver Star for bravery. Dick became an Air Force pilot, and Alan another Marine pilot. Rick entered the Army after attending Moody Bible Institute and became a military Chaplain, retiring as a Colonel. Susan attended Moody where she met her future husband who now serves as a senior pastor at a large church.

Jim and Marge are longtime members of Sun Lakes Baptist Church where Jim served as a Deacon before stepping down a few years ago. Two weeks before their wedding anniversary, he celebrated his 96th birthday. Marge is mum about hers, but she’s not too far behind. They have enjoyed an incredible life together and are looking forward for more to come.