Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Garris lived for family, township
Former supervisor remembered as a fixture of the community
Friends and neighbors in the Parkesburg area are mourning the loss of Ralph “Joe” Garris Jr. The former supervisor and businessman died at his home surrounded by his family on March 21 at 89 years old. He was predeceased by his dear wife, Betty, who died just a month earlier on Feb. 14.
Joe was a lifelong fixture in Sadsbury, and it was well known that he was driven by his love of his community and his adoration for his family.
He was a man of the earth and hard work, having spent 30 years working for nearby Lukens Steel and having operated his Garris’ Garage for more than 60 years.
Everyone who knew Joe was aware that he didn’t mince words, intolerant of those who would hedge what they had to say with flowery verbiage, In contrast, his
vocabulary was dotted with many F’s and S’s when he encountered situations that he found irrational or burdensome.
In the light of his devotion to his home town, it was inevitable that he became a township supervisor, and he held that post for 24 years in the 1980s and 1990s.
In that capacity he became close friends with building and zoning official Thomas Lowry, who did work for the township and is the principal of Municipal Support Services Inc. Garris spoke of Lowry as “my spokesman.”
Lowry said he is deeply saddened by Garris’ death and feels that in the intervening years since Garris left his seat on the supervisory board, many of his good works, spirit and influence have been forgotten.
Garris is remembered for the quote that drove his life, “Every day I attempt to do what is best for Sadsbury Township.”
When he took his seat at the supervisors table, he set out to make Sadsbury a better place — albeit economically.
Lowry enumerated some of Garris’ contributions:
In the name of economy for the residents, he negotiated with the Natural Lands Trust to pay taxes for the open space on Compass Road.
Garris also repaired township vehicles at his garage at cost.
When the township police department needed a new car, Garris obtained a grant from then-state Rep. Art Hershey to buy one.
He also worked out a deal to get a new township building at no cost to the taxpayers by negotiating with real estate developers.
But that was not all. He showed up at every local event, volunteering to flip hamburgers on Sadsbury Day and more.
But there was much more to Garris than his engagement with his municipality.
He was a dedicated family man who would do anything for his wife, Betty, and his children.
Lowry said Betty had frequent bouts of ill health, which eventually led to Garris dropping out of the supervisor’s role to care for her.
A Harley-Davidson biker, Garris was frequently seen driving his wife around in his three-wheeled hog.
After Betty died and was buried, Garris went to her grave every day to visit her and be with “my baby” until he, himself, was incapacitated by his own terminal illness.
Garris was a member of the Parkesburg Presbyterian Church, lifetime member of the NRA, the AMA and the Coatesville Moose Lodge. He was also a member of the Brandywine Goddard Lodge No. 383 of Coatesville, the Rajah Shrine of Reading, the Robert Montgomery VFW Post No. 4480 of Parkesburg, the Eastern Lancaster County Rod and Gun Club and the Lancaster, PA Hog Chapter No. 4380. He was also an avid hunter. He is survived by three children: Mildred Jean Garris, and partner Gary Dunmyre of Parkesburg; Ralph Thomas Garris III, and wife Kimberly Hammond of Parkesburg; and Lisa Jayne Myers, and husband H. Paul “Butch” Myers, of Parkesburg; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by one sister, Thelma Jean Slaymaker, according to his obituary.