Dr. Donald Ray Garrison, 89, of Paducah, Kentucky, passed peacefully into the presence of his Lord and Savior after a life devoted to faith, family, ministry, and service to others. Born on November 28, 1936, in Trimble, Tennessee, Don was the son of Tilman Boroughs and Nellie Garrison, who preceded him in death.
On August 22, 1965, he married the love of his life, Glenda Warmath Garrison. Together they shared more than sixty-one years of marriage, building a family rooted in faith, love, and service. He is survived by his beloved wife, Glenda; his children, Christopher (Emily) Garrison, Gregory Garrison, and Jennifer (Dan) Glover.
Don's greatest joy was sharing the Gospel and spending time with his family. He leaves a cherished legacy through his grandchildren, Abby Glover, Garrison Glover, Victoria (Trip) Costello, Emme Glover, Haley Garrison, Olivia (Carter) Space, Thad Berry, Casen Garrison, and Slate Garrison. He was also eagerly anticipating the arrival of his first great-grandchild, Baby Costello.
A proud patriot, Don served honorably in the United States Navy from 1954 to 1962, attaining the rank of Aviation Structural Mechanic Third Class (AMS3). Following his military service, he pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor of Arts from Union University, Jackson, TN, a Master of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY, and a Doctor of Theology from Trinity Theological Seminary in Indiana.
Don answered God's call to ministry at an early age and was ordained to preach the Gospel on May 22, 1960, at Cherokee Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee. He faithfully served as a pastor for more than 63 years, ministering to congregations throughout Tennessee, Kentucky, and Indiana. While his pastoral ministry took him to many places, Paducah became his home, where he invested deeply in his church, community, emergency services, and chaplaincy work.
Throughout his life, Don was committed to serving both God and his fellow man. He served as a Colonel in the United States Air Force Civil Air Patrol, was qualified to fly single-engine aircraft, worked as a certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), and served as a Certified Lifeguard. He was a dedicated Red Cross blood donor beginning in 1965 and volunteered with Red Cross Disaster Services. He was also a proud member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity.
His ministry extended far beyond the pulpit through chaplaincy service with the McCracken County Sheriff's Department (Deputy Sheriff), Henderson Police Department, Baptist Hospital in Paducah, Kentucky, Mercy Regional Emergency Management Systems, and the Civil Air Patrol.
Whether serving as a pastor, chaplain, veteran, pilot, EMT, or community volunteer, Don dedicated his life to caring for others and sharing the hope of Jesus Christ. His legacy of faith, compassion, integrity, and servant leadership will continue through the family he loved, the churches he served, and the countless lives he touched over the course of his ministry.
"Well done, good and faithful servant." Matthew 25:23
Funeral services will be at 1:00 PM on Friday, August 28, 2026, at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah, with Rev. Chris Wooley and Dr. Kenneth Brown officiating. Visitation will be from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM on Friday, August 28, 2026, at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah. Burial with military honors will be on Monday, August 31, 2026, at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West in Hopkinsville, KY.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place • Memphis, TN 38105. Share a memory or leave a message for the family at www.milnerandorr.com
