From a contemporary press report:
On July 25, 1998, in a Virginia Beach, VA hospital, CAPT. GEORGE IRVING GARNER, USCG (Ret.), age 88.
Born in Clay County, Texas, he was a resident of Virginia Beach for the last 22 year. A 1934 graduate of the University of Texas, Somerville (Dallas) School of Law, he was a practicing attorney and Clerk of District Courts in Texas, until his commission in the US Coast Guard in 1942.
Following sea duty during the Second World War, he served at various stations and was also a military judge, receiving three outstanding service awards during his career. Prior to his retirement after 30 years in 1972, he had served five years as Deputy Chief, Reserve Division, in Washington, DC.
He was an active member of Galilee Episcopal Church in Virginia Beach, a life member of Kiwanis International, and past President of the Hampton Roads Chapter, and National Director, of the Retired Officer’s Association.
Survivors include his wife, Maude Eley Garner of Virginia Beach; his two sons, George Duane Garner of Richmond, VA and Allan Jay Garner of Bethesda, MD; his two granddaughters and one great-granddaughter. A church service will be conducted at 11 a.m., Wednesday, July 29, 1998 at Galilee Episcopal Church by Rev. Calvin G. Gardner. Burial will
be at Arlington National Cemetery, Monday, August 3, 1998 at 1 p.m.
Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.
Reviewed by: Michael Howard