Eldridge Garretson

MIDWAY, GEORGIA: ELDRIDGE RANDOLPH GARRETSON, age 78, died Saturday, February 26, 2005 at Memorial Health and University Medical Center in Savannah, Georgia. Born in Smyth County, Virginia, December 21, 1926, he was the son of Guy Garnett Garretson and Clara Mae Leedy Garretson. He was a graduate of Marion High School, Gettysburg College and served in the U.S. Air Force in World War II. In 1951 he married Carole MacKay in the first wedding in the, then new, present day Ebenezer Lutheran Church in Marion. The wedding was presided over by Dr. Eldridge Copenhaver for whom he was named, Dr. John Fray, President of Marion College and J. Luther Mauney, church pastor. A memorial service will be held at Ebenezer Lutheran Church at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 5, 2005 with the Rev. James Bangle and Dr. Martin Saarinnen officiating. Burial of the cremains will follow in Round Hill Cemetery, Marion, Virginia. Surviving are four daughters, Ginger G. Powell and husband, Charles of Greenville, North Carolina; Jayne G. Holland of Savannah, Georgia; Ellen G. Meeks and husband, John of Richmond Hill, Georgia; Alex G. Hodges and husband, Al of Hatteras, North Carolina; a son, Scot Randolph Garretson of Pantego, North Carolina. Nephews also survive, Gerald Lee Hall of Marion, Virginia; Dr. William Garretson of Foley, Alabama and a niece, Mittie-Clare McDonald of Round Rock, Texas. He had eleven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Mr. Garretson was preceded in death by two sisters, Geraldine Garretson Hall and Mildred Garretson Condon of Marion, as well as a brother, Guy G. Garretson, Jr. Mr. Garretson was affiliated with several fiberglass firms throughout his engineering career. He was instrumental in designing and producing the first fiberglass boat as well as the Chevrolet Corvette, among other accomplishments. He had been retired for several years. The family suggested that memorial gifts be directed to the charity of one's choice.