Roy Lonnie Garris, Jr.

Roy Lonnie Garris, Jr., 72, of Statesville, passed away Thursday, March 02, 2017 at his residence.  He was born on September 16, 1944 in Wilkes County to the late Roy L. Garris, Sr. and Jane Pendergraft Garris. Roy was a graduate of Iredell County Schools and served his country honorably in the U.S. Army then served in the National Guard.  On January 24, 1965, he married the love of his life, Sylvia Kestler and they shared over 52 years of marriage before his passing.  He retired from Thonet where he was a Product Service Sales Representative and later started his own business, Roy’s Golf Cart and Repair.  He loved his customers and working on carts.  Roy was a member of Western Avenue Baptist Church. Roy lived and accomplished much in his life.  His work ethic was unmatched and he lived life to the fullest.  Roy loved racing and driving anything that would go fast.  His generosity was great and his goal for everyone was to try to make things better.  He will be missed by all that knew him. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Sylvia; two sons, Michael S. Garris (Tammy) and Steven B. Garris (Kimberly); two granddaughters, Stephanie R. Garris and Tiffany Drum Billey; a grandson, Mathew Paul Drum; and his four-legged best friend, “Bo.” Funeral services for Mr. Garris will be held 11:00 am Monday, March 6, 2017 at the Nicholson funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Dr. Rob Kestler officiating.  Burial with military honors provided by the Iredell County Veterans Council Burial Detail will follow in the Iredell Memorial Gardens Cemetery.  The family will visit with friends at the funeral home prior to the service from 10:00 until 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Iredell, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, N.C. 28625.  Online condolences may be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com and Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family.