The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Garland Gresham, 94, of Orange passed away Friday, March 4, at his home surrounded by family.

Funeral Services will be at 10:00 a.m., Monday, March 7, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. Officiating will be Pastor Randy Branch of Wesley United Methodist Church. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens.

Serving as pallbearers will be Dr. Charles Day, Gus Harris, Dan Harris, Bubba Harris, Lee Harris, Fred Copeland, Leo Perry and Bill Blackwell. Honorary pallbearers will be JoJo Harris and The Sheriff’s Posse Friends.

A gathering of family and friends will be Sunday evening from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Born in Sacul, Jan. 25, 1922, he was the son of Lewis E. Gresham and Mattie Mae Ballard. He served honorably in the United States Army during World War II and worked as a mechanical supervisor for DuPont. Mr. Gresham was a former member of Park Ave. Methodist Church and a current member of the First United Methodist Church and a 60 year member of the 126 Masonic Lodge. He enjoyed riding his horse with friends, watching bull riding and most of all spending time with his great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Gertrude “Sister”, Annie Fay, Randolph, John Henry, Joe Bob and Billy Lewis.

He is survived by his wife of almost 70 years, Helen Gresham; children, Patti Goforth of Orange and Joe Don Gresham and wife, Cassie of Houston; grandchildren, Emily Lowe and husband, Mike and Keet Goforth and wife, Shanon and great grandchildren, Hanna Lowe and Cooper Lowe. He is also survived by his brother, Travis “Pete” Greshan and wife, Janice; devoted friend, Dorothy Sexton and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mr. Gresham’s family would like to thank River City Hospice and his wonderful caregivers, Joseph Williams and Shanon Goforth.

In lieu of flowers his family asks that donations be made in his honor to The Methodist Children’s Home, 1111 Herring Ave., Waco, TX 76708.