B. J. Garber, 85, passed from this life to his eternal reward on Friday, July 24, 2015.
For more than 50 years, he served the Lord in ministry. Hallmarking his service were his encouragement and compassionate care for his flock--concerns that were demonstrated by his vigorous visitation schedule to hospitals, nursing homes and any in need.
Born June 21, 1930, in Baxter Springs, Kansas, he was the son of Thelma Bowman and Lester Garber, Sr. He was one of seven children. B. J. married his childhood sweetheart, Glenna Dell Barr, on November 28, 1948, while attending Bethany-Peniel College. He graduated in 1951 with a B.A. in Religion and in 1954 with a M.A. and in 1989 with a D. Min from Nazarene Theological Seminary. He also was awarded in 1988 an honorary doctorate from Trevecca Nazarene College (TNC). He was a life-long student of the Bible.
He was the pastor of five Churches of the Nazarene in Texas and Missouri. From 1954-1956 he pastored in Alice, Texas, from 1956-1960 in Kingsville, Texas, from 1960-1966 in Waco, Texas, from 1966-1971 in Corpus Christi, Texas and from 1971-1983 in Carthage, Missouri, where he returned in 1997 to retire and serve in various ministries. From 1983-1997, he was appointed as the first District Superintendent of the Alabama North District where he planted 25 churches. He loved being a pastor and then becoming a pastor to pastors.
He also served in various leadership capacities for the Church of the Nazarene in Texas and Missouri, including District NYPS President, District Sunday School Chairman, Trustee for MidAmerica Nazarene University, TNC and Nazarene Bible College. In addition he was a member of several civic organizations including the Carthage United Fund, the Carthage Ministerial Alliance and the Kiwanis Club, where he served as president.
Another passion of his ministry was missions. He travelled to Dominica and Barbados with work and witness teams. He volunteered as a professor at Africa Nazarene University in Kenya for a semester in 1999. He devoted his life to reaching every person he met with the love of Christ and the gospel.
He is survived by his loving wife, Glenna; his four children, Paul Garber (Terry), Brian Garber (Deb), Janet Brown (Eric) and Stuart Garber (Heidi); grandchildren, Geoffrey (Jessica) and Mallory Garber, Kara, Terrin and Jarret Garber, Ashley Hlavin (Justin) and Matt Brown, Channing, Jayne-Stuart, Hamilton and Campbell Garber; great-granddaughters, Abigail Hlavin and Natalie Garber; brothers and sisters, twin brother Bill Garber (Alice), Tom Garber (Janelle), Jane Streifert, Sue Alsenz (Joe) and Mary Lou Mumpton; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother Les Garber.
The family is so appreciative to the many caregivers during his illness including volunteers, Hospice Compassus of Lamar and many others.
Visitation will be held at Knell Mortuary on Thursday, July 30 from 6-7:30 pm. The Funeral will be at Carthage First Church of the Nazarene on Friday, July 31 at 10 am. Interment will be in Park Cemetery, Carthage. In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to the Joplin District Church of the Nazarene Church Planting Fund or School of Ministry or the Carthage First Church of the Nazarene Mission Trip Fund in care of Knell Mortuary, 308 W. Chestnut, Carthage, MO 64836. Online condolences may be expressed at www.knellmortuary.com. - See more at: http://www.knellmortuary.com/displayobit1.aspx?callid=1769#sthash.SJxNUx8g.dpuf
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