Donald Luther Garland, a 65 year Skagit County resident, went home to The Lord on November 26, 2013, surrounded by his family.
The youngest of three sons, Don was born on December 17, 1947, in Sedro- Woolley, WA, to James L. and Naomi (Aldridge) Garland. Don graduated from Concrete High School in 1966 and went to work mostly in construction and operating equipment.
Don was united in marriage his “darling Pam” on February 3, 1989.
More than anything Don enjoyed time spent with his family who he loved dearly. He made daily calls to his sons, Daniel James, Justin Donald, and Jeffrey Lee, just to make sure they were okay and to see how their day was going. He also enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing, sports, playing music, gardening, cooking, and canning fresh jams and vegetables.
Don will be best remembered for his dedication to his family, his commitment to The Lord, his hospitality to anyone who entered his home, and his ability to voice his beliefs regardless of the audience. Some will remember Don as physically strong, athletic, a bit of a prankster, and tou
gh, but the biggest part of him was his heart that was filled with love and compassion for others. He taught us the true meaning of unconditional love and putting others ahead of ourselves.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, James L. and Naomi, and brothers James E. and Vernon. Don leaves behind his loving wife of nearly 25 years, Pamela; three sons, Dan of Onalaska, WA, Justin of Concrete, WA and Jeffrey and wife, Amanda, of Bow, WA; two precious granddaughters, Dilyn Naomi and Jasmyne Marie, and his grandson, Jordan Donald Garland as well as many other family and friends.
Funeral Services for Don will be held on Saturday, November 30, 2013 at 11:00am at the Concrete Assembly of God Church. Graveside services will follow at Greenhills Memorial Cemetery in Burlington. Visitation will be available on Friday, November 29th from 9am to 5pm at Lemley Chapel in Sedro-Woolley. The family suggests memorials to a charity of your choice.
Dear Pam and family
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time . Now we look forward to a great reunion that will never
end .
The Bible tells us in Psalm 30: 5. Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes in the morning .
Love and Prayers Shirley
My thoughts & prayers are with all of you at this difficult time. I have many memories of Don, some from when I would watch his boys. To seeing him on the sidelines watching the boys play sports. No matter where I seen him he always had a hug for me. I always love to sit and listen to him play his guitar. Birdsview will never be the same with out him. However heaven has got a very special angel. RIP Don you will be greatly missed but will suffer no more.
Don and I have been friends since we were in our teens (that was a long time ago) we ran around together a lot doing things we probably should not have been doing !!! we worked together on many occasions, whether it was logging or cutting shake blocks the work was hard but we still managed to have some fun and enjoy working together, Don has been a good and true friend for close to fifty years, I will miss his marvelous sense of humor his broad smile and happy go lucky attitude, I have been fortunate enough to see my friend a number of times over the last couple of years, but I will always wish I would have gone to visit him just one more time, even though it was hard to see my once strong, healthy friend in declining health. My friend will be missed terribly not just by me, but by all who were fortunate enough to know him. Good bye Don you touched us all….
Mr. Garland left an indelible mark on many. I will always remember him as a staunch supporter of his children in athletics. An aggressive mentor never leaving an inch of motivation untouched, he gave everything he had to provide us with a little momentum to find victory on the mat. No matter the outcome, Ol Don was always there to give his heartfelt grin from ear to ear and let you know he was proud of you. I was fortunate to grow up for a time with his sons and have the honor of spending several hours in his presence during a number of long Saturday tournaments. He will be missed yet always exist in my memories as a gentle giant, powerful but humble and approachable leader. My prayers go out to Dan, Justin, Jeffrey and the family. Time can make some memories hazy, but the compassion and love of your father will live on for eternity through all that he has influenced. God bless you all in your time of need. Carry on his example. S/F, your friend Jason.
My thoughts & prayers are with you all at this difficult time. May your Faith, Family, Friends and Many Happy Memories help you in the days ahead. You have a Very Special Guardian Angel looking down on you 24/7. I have Happy Memories of Don at C.H.S. , he was all ways so friendly and cheerful. Enjoyed watching him in sports. May our memories be with us all, always. Take Care I Care.