Gregarious, fun-loving and an avid hunter, Edward Garrison Childress never found a Rocket League video game he couldn’t win, a deer he wouldn’t hunt or a Green Bay Packers game he couldn’t cheer for.
If Aaron Rodgers had known Garrison and his mother were in the stands on a blisteringly cold January night in 2022, we are sure the star quarterback would have found a new best friend. That’s the way Garrison was – kind, a friend to all and a comedian at heart.
A senior at The University of Alabama majoring in mathematics and education with the goal of becoming a high school baseball and football coach and math teacher, Garrison cheered the Crimson Tide and never missed an opportunity to tell family about the latest Tide football starter he met while Door Dashing late night deliveries in Tuscaloosa. He cherished his time in the deer stand – whether it be at the family’s beloved farm in Macon, Mississippi or anywhere else the bucks and does might be wandering.
Garrison loved fantasy football. The X’s and O’s and the stats and scores were like an arithmetic problem to the future math teacher. The players and their performance were the answers Garrison would look for week in and week out, always calculating what the outcome would be and, oftentimes, finishing well above the pack. The game though was merely a chance to stay in touch with friends near and far, a group of young men who impacted Garrison’s life in profound ways and who have shown up with unimaginable testimonies to celebrate his memory.
Friends young and old surrounded Garrison (or “Gary” as he was called by many) with love. His brother enveloped him with love from an early age. From fishing on the “Just Bearly” to football games and the occasional sibling quarrel, Garrison had a tight bond with his brother.
Aaron Rodgers once said “Surround yourself with really good people. I think that’s an important thing. Because the people you surround yourself are a reflection of you.” His family, friends, teammates and fellow students surrounded themselves with “really good people” when it came to Garrison. He was a son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend to many. He was, simply put a reflection of the virtues, values, love and affection that come with being a Southern gentleman.
Penned by Garrison’s “Uncle Johnny”
Garrison had many friends and people who loved him and whom he loved. We’d love to use the Foundation website as a place to gather memories of our precious Garrison. Share you thoughts below!