Floyd "Gene" Eugene Garman

Floyd Eugene “Gene” Garman, 83, of Pittsburg, passed away at 12:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at Medicalodges Pittsburg.

He was born October 25, 1935 at Coffeyville, Kansas, the son of Ivan Sylvester and Ava (Bradshaw) Garman. He attended a one room school in Coffeyville and graduated from Field Kinley High School in Coffeyville before hitchhiking and riding the train halfway across the country to Canon City, Colorado. He did come back to Coffeyville, and worked as a newspaper carrier for a short time before joining the USMC in 1953. After serving time in Korea during the war, Gene transferred to the USMC Reserves and served with them until 1961. He was stationed at Camp LeJeune, NC and it was there that he met his first wife, Frances. Gene attended and graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor’s of Art Degree with a major in religion and a minor in history in 1962. He followed that with a Masters of Divinity in 1967 from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, MO. He also attended law school at Washburn in Topeka but did not graduate.

Gene was a pipefitter by trade with Local Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Local 441, working in Wichita. He then worked for the US Postal System as a postal worker, until he retired.

Membership was held in the First Christian Church of Pittsburg, Marvin Armstrong Masonic Lodge #187, VFW, and served at the President of the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Local 441. Mr. Garman was a strong advocate and chairman of the Crawford County Democratic Party and was the author of three books: Rocking the Pulpit, a book about the Pastor as Biblical Shepherd, was published in 1967; America's Real Religion, published in 1991 and The Religion Commandments, published in 2008 (both discussions about the Constitutional separation of Church and State).

Survivors include a daughter, Ava Sue Green of Chattanooga, Tennessee; three grandchildren, Melanie Anne Green of Florida, Jacob Ray Green of Chanute, Kansas, and Ryan Patrick Green of Neodesha, Kansas; four great-grandchildren, Ella Green, Marlie Green and Avery Green, daughters of Jake and Clara and Ivan Levi Green, son of Ryan and Heather; two half-brothers, Charlie and Sonny; a sister, Barbara Ann and half-sister, Velma Kay and Velma's brother, John Pierce.

He is also survived by his long time friend, Jewell Turner and her children; Greg Turner of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Denise Cannizzo of Fort Worth, Texas, Bonnie Turner of Joplin, Missouri; grandchildren, Bradley Turner of Joplin, Missouri, Bethany Thurston of Joplin, Missouri; great grandchildren, Gavin Thurston and Reece Thurston.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Ivan Levi Garman and Bruce Turner.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday (March 2) at the First Christian Church with Rev. Pat Nixon officiating. Following the services, a burial will take place at 2:00 p.m. at the Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence, Kansas, where graveside military rites will be given by the US Marine Corps. The family suggests memorials to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and/or the First Christian Church. These may be left at or mailed to the Brenner Mortuary, 114 East 4th St., Pittsburg, KS 66762. Friends may also leave condolences online at www.brennermortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, Pittsburg.

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