Joseph Garrison "Garry" Guest, Jr.

North Augusta, SC – Services for Joseph Garrison “Garry” Guest Jr., 87, who entered into rest September 29, 2023, will be conducted Friday afternoon at 2 o’clock from Grace United Methodist Church, The Rev. Dr. Cathy Jamieson and Dr. John M. Younginer Jr. officiating. Private interment with Veteran Honors will follow. The family will receive friends in the parlor of The Wesley Center of Grace United Methodist Church one hour prior to the service. Mr. Guest was an only child of the late Joseph Garrison Guest Sr. and Nona Reid Guest. He was born on Dec 13, 1935, in Americus, Georgia. Garry was a devoted husband, beloved father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, and brother-in-law. He loved God, his family, his church, and friends. Everyone who knew him was gifted with his gentle, kind, and friendly nature. He received his elementary education in nearby Plains, and Leslie, Georgia. Subsequently, he graduated from Americus High School. There began his love of football and baseball along with woodworking which would remain an important part of his life. In his adult years, he attended night school at the University of Georgia Extension College in Warner Robins. During his adolescences Garry spent time with family hunting, fishing, and faithfully attending the Methodist Church. Much of his homelife centered around his parents, grandparents, and cousins. After graduating from high school in 1954, he moved to Macon, Georgia where he began working in a cabinet shop. There he further developed his interest and talent in wood working becoming an expert craftsman. In 1955 he acquired a job with Southern Bell Telephone company as a lineman, shortly thereafter becoming a cable splicer. Thus, he began his lifelong career in the telecommunications industry. In 1958 he was drafted into the U.S. Army, receiving his basic training as a lineman in Columbus, Georgia and proceeded to Germany for two years . Upon his return to the states, his job with Southern Bell was waiting for him in Macon, Georgia. His career would span over 35 years with assignments including various craft and managerial jobs. While working on the Headquarters Staff in Atlanta he was instrumental in the development of Mechanized Time Reporting, supervising a staff of regional employees. He finished his career on the Outstate Engineering Staff as Staff Manager where he assisted in implementing a Mechanized Outside Plant System in the Engineering and Construction departments. He retired in 1991 with BellSouth (now AT&T) after 35 years of service. He married his wife of 31 years, Sandra, and made North Augusta their home. During retirement Garry continued his love of carpentry while operating his own cabinet shop for a short span. He later became a golf instructor at Carolina Driving Range. (He had acquired this hobby in his early twenties.) His love and skill of the game motivated him to secure certification from the United States Golf Teaching Federation in Orlando Florida. He joined the Midland Valley Golf Club where he continued giving golf lessons for several years while continuing to play. His other hobbies included fishing, shrimping, boating, gardening, and sports. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a stepbrother, Eugene Guest, niece April Nichols, and the mother of his children, Margaret Ann Lee Guest. Survivors include his wife, Sandra, his three daughters, Cheryl Lynn Copple (David), Nona “ Gaye” Johnson (Glen), Mary Margaret “Meg” Papp (David) and son, Scott Kevin Guest (Stephanie), grandchildren, Lee (Mary), Garris (Emily), and Conner Johnson, Alexandria “Alex” Papp Williams (Robbie), Carson (Reagan) Papp and Skylar Guest , great-grandson, Gibson “Gib”, great-granddaughters, Lyla and Roberta “Robbie” Johnson, sister-in-law Kay Padgett Sizemore (Wayne), brother-in-law Mark Nichols (Loretta), nephews, Tommy, (Missy), Marcus, (Amy) Padgett, Kyle Nichols, niece, Allison Nichols Bryan (Jeff), great nephews, Camden, Evan, and Steven Padgett, Drayton and Sawyer Bryan. Garry was an active member of Grace United Methodist Church and the Stillwell Sunday school class. The family is ever grateful for their ongoing prayers, love, and support along with faithful encouragement and caring from family and friends. Special appreciation to the Piedmont Hospital Medical Staff for the excellent care rendered during his stay in the hospital. Honorary Pallbearers will be members of the Stillwell Sunday School Class and the Sunshine Circle. Memorials may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, 639 Georgia Avenue, North Augusta, SC 29841.

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Joseph Garrison "Garry" Guest, Jr.

December 13, 1935 - September 29, 2023