54563057 SP4

United States Army

1966 - 1968

       James Larry Garner was born 7 November 1946 in Wynne, Arkansas, the son of James Edward and Mildred Rhoads Garner.  He had one brother, Billy Thomas, and one sister, Donna Joan. Larry graduated from Wynne High School in 1964 and Draughans Business College in 1966.

        Larry was inducted into the Army 3 October 1966. He went through basic training and cook school at Fort Polk, Louisiana. After completing cook school, he was assigned as a cook with a basic training unit at Fort Campbell, Kentucky and then was attached to the 101st Airborne for a short time before leaving for Vietnam. With seven months left to serve, Larry arrived in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive of 1968. He was assigned as a cook with the 25th Infantry Division’s 1st Battalion (Mechanized), 5th Infantry based at Cu Chi. Working from base camp Cu Chi, Larry served at Dau Tieng, Tay Ninh, the Ben Cui Rubber plantation, Nui Ba Den and Tan Son Nhut Air Base. He was discharged 1 September 1968 at Oakland, California having earned the National Defense Service Medal; the Good Conduct Medal; the Vietnam Service Medal; the Vietnam Campaign Medal and one Overseas Service Bar.

        Larry married Joyce Hall 4 December 1970 and they had three children: Teressa Lynn, Timothy Wayne and Holly Michelle. He was employed at Garner Insurance Agency, Wynne, Arkansas from 1971 until his death. He was a charter member of Grace Missionary Baptist Church where he served as deacon, treasurer and pianist. Larry was active with Gideons International, Kiwanis International, Rensellear Vann Lodge No. 494 and the Scottish Rite.

        James Larry Garner died 5 April 2005 and was buried in Crosslawn Cemetery, Wynne, Arkansas.

20 July 2005 /8/