Jerry Wayne Garland, Sr. "Unexpected Events of Life"

Unexpected events in life provide smiles, memories and heartache. The announcement of a pregnancy brings a smile as a new journey and experience begins. Memories of a time and place create laughter that fills the air as you think about a time that will no doubt ever be duplicated again. Heartache is also involved in the events of life. Heartache could begin with the loss of a game involving sports to the full spectrum of life’s events, including the loss of life.
The name, Jerry Wayne Garland, Sr., provides all three of the life providing experiences I have written. Certainly the people of Knox County, where his family originates and their family roots are solid with a strong background may feel the direct impact of his death, but throughout Southeastern Kentucky his interest and investments have also been impacted because of his vision, leadership and willingness to volunteer and be a part of things all over, and not just his direct community.
Name a city or county in Southeastern Kentucky and it will take just a second to name a business, special project, an organization or individuals that his involvement mattered. One of the strengths of his name, Jerry Wayne Garland, Sr., is not the focus of his individual interest, as there were many. His strength being reflected with these expected events is his interest is others. He enjoyed watching others become successful in pursuit of their goals. He enjoyed being a part of the achievement of others without any public acknowledgment or credit. Something that is very rare, but something that many, I included, experienced and now reflect. From the use of equipment; helping to level apiece of land; cleaning out a ditch; pulling a car down the road; or providing a listening ear to a neighbor or passing stranger; Jerry Wayne Garland, Sr., was a person that made a difference in the lives of many. Not mentioned until now are the employees through his various business ventures. Their lives through employment and benefits have certainly been impacted positively too.
Smiles, memories and heartache. If it were possible to eliminate the negative events from our lives I am certain many of us would have signed up yesterday. Life is a journey here on earth that has many unexpected events that fill each day, week, month and year. Some are welcomed events even though unexpected while others one would plan for a permanent delay if possible.
If your life was touched by Jerry then you understand fully where my words are coming from as I describe a friend that we found in him. The disciples in a moment of walking down the mountain were pressing Jesus to keep moving forward within the crowd. Jesus however didn’t listen to them and stopped to touch people on the way in His journey. It was good to have someone like Jerry pass my way and I’m glad he stopped in my life.

Until then