Donald Garrison

Tribute

Donald Patrick Garrison, 72, of Palmyra, IN, entered into eternal rest on January 2, 2026. Don was preceded in death by his parents, MarieAnn Gettlefinger and Patrick Edward Garrison, and his brothers, Ronald and Conrad. He leaves behind a legacy of love in his two children, Gerald (Cheryl) Garrison and Amanda (Mike) Johnson; his six grandchildren, Eli, Ezekiel, Evelyn, Zoe, Elenor, and Malachi; and countless friends whose hearts all bear an indelible mark because of Don. A stranger to no one and friend to everyone, Don was easy to love. Quick with a joke, he could instantly lighten the mood in any room. Don loved people, especially his family and many close friends. Known to many as “The Bean Soup Guy,” Don took great pride in preparing bean soup for Lanesville Heritage Weekend, a role he filled for nearly two decades. He loved the interactions with all the passersby and would faithfully man his post year after year. Born January 2, 1954, in Louisville, KY, Don lived a life full of memorable experiences. From trips taken with his friend Donn Blank, family vacations spent trekking across the country, and even the occasional trip across the border, Don loved to travel and see new, exciting places. Don worked several jobs, but retired as a semi truck driver. He saw many states and multiple countries behind the wheel of a semi, but his greatest passion was flipping. Don was always on the lookout for a great deal on something he could resell. More than anything, Don loved his family. He was exceedingly proud of his children and couldn’t wait to show off pictures of, or brag about, his grandchildren. Known to his grandchildren as Papaw, his face would light up whenever he saw them or talked about them. Don truly impacted many, many people and will be deeply missed.

Friends & Family