(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)Joe Robert Garman was born on December 9, 1944 in Cushing, Oklahoma and walked into the arms of Jesus on February 24, 2025 at his home in Joplin, Missouri, surrounded by his family.
Joe grew up in Richland, Missouri, though he always considered himself an “Oklahoma Boy.”
He loved to relay stories of his idyllic small-town childhood filled with days playing outdoors, and roaming the woods with friends, his loyal dog by his side. It should come as no surprise that he would later enter ministry as he and his sister, Judy, often played church together as children. He always got to be the preacher!
After high school he attended Ozark Christian College (formerly Ozark Bible College) and was always extremely proud of his alma mater.
He met the love of his life when she came to a revival where he was preaching in Douglas, Nebraska. Linda was a nursing student who was going home for the holidays. He gallantly offered to take her since he was “already heading that way.” It was only after getting to her tiny hometown of Winnetoon, Nebraska that he realized nobody was ever “just headed that way.”
After being snowed-in on her family farm for three days, he asked her to marry him. Eight months later they were married and he whisked her off to Korea, the start of a lifetime of Kingdom work.
It was in Korea where he first glimpsed the redemptive power of faith behind bars. This was a calling that would define his life. After having their daughters, Stephanie and Angela, they returned to the US where they founded American Rehabilitation Ministries (ARM) in 1973.
Later the ministry was renamed ARM Prison Outreach, with a singular mission: to bring the hope of Jesus, Scripture, and Christian education to those behind bars. What began as a modest endeavor blossomed under Joe’s stewardship into a ministry of staggering reach, touching the lives of millions through the distribution of Bibles, Christian greeting cards, in-prison seminars, and correspondence courses rooted in the message of Jesus.
His visionary spirit did not end with the founding of ARM, but expanded into the ministry of Rapha International, which he co-founded alongside his daughter, Stephanie, and a small group of US and Cambodian Christian leaders in 2003. For almost 60 years, Joe labored as an evangelist and disciple-maker, a gentle yet resolute force who saw in every person and prisoner the potential for grace.
His ministry at home was no less important. He was Dad to his daughter’s friends and Papa Joe to his grandchildren’s friends, as well as to many around the world. His larger-than-life personality lit up a room. His family could always count on him for practical jokes, a teasing nature, and his willingness to give a grandkid a ride at a moment’s notice. Coffee and ice cream outings doubled as precious time spent together. No doubt, the sweet treats he offered them were his own excuse to indulge.
Those who knew Joe will remember him for his infectious laughter and generosity, his deep-rooted faith in Jesus, and his unwavering commitment to spreading the message of Christ to everyone he encountered. He had a rare gift for making people feel like they were the most important person in the room.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Linda (Blair) Garman, his daughters, Stephanie (Garman) Freed and husband Brandon; Angela (Garman) Brower and husband Darrin; seven grandchildren: Blair Freed, Jesse Brower and wife Emily, Brooke Smith and husband Carter, Abby Brower, Chloe Brower, Barrett Freed, Lucas Brower; and one great-grandson, Lincoln Brower. He also leaves behind his mother-in-law, Myrtle (Ziegenbein) Blair, and countless nieces, nephews, and brothers and sisters-in-law whom he loved dearly.
He met the love of his life when she came to a revival where he was preaching in Douglas, Nebraska. Linda was a nursing student who was going home for the holidays. He gallantly offered to take her since he was “already heading that way.” It was only after getting to her tiny hometown of Winnetoon, Nebraska that he realized nobody was ever “just headed that way.”
After being snowed-in on her family farm for three days, he asked her to marry him. Eight months later they were married and he whisked her off to Korea, the start of a lifetime of Kingdom work.
It was in Korea where he first glimpsed the redemptive power of faith behind bars. This was a calling that would define his life. After having their daughters, Stephanie and Angela, they returned to the US where they founded American Rehabilitation Ministries (ARM) in 1973.
Later the ministry was renamed ARM Prison Outreach, with a singular mission: to bring the hope of Jesus, Scripture, and Christian education to those behind bars. What began as a modest endeavor blossomed under Joe’s stewardship into a ministry of staggering reach, touching the lives of millions through the distribution of Bibles, Christian greeting cards, in-prison seminars, and correspondence courses rooted in the message of Jesus.
His visionary spirit did not end with the founding of ARM, but expanded into the ministry of Rapha International, which he co-founded alongside his daughter, Stephanie, and a small group of US and Cambodian Christian leaders in 2003. For almost 60 years, Joe labored as an evangelist and disciple-maker, a gentle yet resolute force who saw in every person and prisoner the potential for grace.
His ministry at home was no less important. He was Dad to his daughter’s friends and Papa Joe to his grandchildren’s friends, as well as to many around the world. His larger-than-life personality lit up a room. His family could always count on him for practical jokes, a teasing nature, and his willingness to give a grandkid a ride at a moment’s notice. Coffee and ice cream outings doubled as precious time spent together. No doubt, the sweet treats he offered them were his own excuse to indulge.
Those who knew Joe will remember him for his infectious laughter and generosity, his deep-rooted faith in Jesus, and his unwavering commitment to spreading the message of Christ to everyone he encountered. He had a rare gift for making people feel like they were the most important person in the room.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Linda (Blair) Garman, his daughters, Stephanie (Garman) Freed and husband Brandon; Angela (Garman) Brower and husband Darrin; seven grandchildren: Blair Freed, Jesse Brower and wife Emily, Brooke Smith and husband Carter, Abby Brower, Chloe Brower, Barrett Freed, Lucas Brower; and one great-grandson, Lincoln Brower. He also leaves behind his mother-in-law, Myrtle (Ziegenbein) Blair, and countless nieces, nephews, and brothers and sisters-in-law whom he loved dearly.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Grace (Hamilton) Garman; sister Judy (Garman) Davis; and father-in-law, Bill Blair.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10 AM on March 15, 2025 at Park Plaza Christian Church in Joplin, Missouri, with visitation at 9 AM immediately before the service. For Joe’s many friends around the world who are unable to attend, the service will be livestreamed at 10 AM Central on Park Plaza’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/PPCCJoplin.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made in Joe’s honor to ARM Prison Outreach or Rapha International.
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