A Favorite Son of Lime Springs Dies

Written by k Friday, 25 December 2009 21:05

Pete Garrison, 79, of Edwardsville, Illinois, passed away there December 20.

Pete was the son of C.O. and Geneva Garrison, both well known Lime Springers of the last century.

During the Korean War, Pete received numerous decorations for his flying achievements. I came to know him personally after he left the USAF and we were both students at Iowa State in Ames. That would have been in 1956 or 57.

Pete graduated with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering and became a test pilot at McDonnell Aircraft Company (now McDonnell Douglas) in St. Louis. He eventually became a vice-president of the company.

Wayne Roberts likes to relate the story of how Pete played a significant role in Wayne's successful career as an Air Force pilot. Wayne was walking home from a final exam with his head hanging low when he ran into Pete on the ISU campus. Wayne related as to how he felt he had not done well in the course and was generally feeling "down." Pete's comment: "The Air Force recruiter is right over there!"

Wayne went on to complete a flying career in the USAF and continued flying for years afterward. He now lives in San Antonio.

I can't attribute any of my limited flying career to Pete. But I did enjoy a few rides between Ames and Lime Springs with Pete and Carolyn—and certainly appreciated them.

Pete was certainly a favorite and respected son of Lime Springs. He was asked to be the featured speaker at the 1993 LSHS Reunion. His talk is included in the DVD titled "Return to the River" which is available at the Lime Springs Library.

You can read his obituary and leave a message here:

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/goedwardsville/obituary.aspx?n=charles-garrison&pid=137658956