Franklin Delano Garrison of Lansing, Michigan, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend passed away Wednesday June 17, 2009 at Ingham Regional Medical Center in Lansing, at the age of 74 after a brief illness.

Franklin Delano Garrison was born December 28, 1934 in Huntington, Indiana, son of George Francis Garrison and Gladys (Archie) Payne. He married Dora Goodboo 54 years ago on June 18, 1955.

Franklin Garrison was drafted into the United States Army in 1954 and served two years.

In 1972, he was appointed as an UAW International Representive for Region 1D and assigned to UAW Education Department and the Michigan UAW Community Action Program (CAP). He was serving as CAP coordinator for Region 1D when joined the Michigan UAW-CAP legislative office in Lansing as a lobbyist in January 1976. He became President of the Michigan AFL-CIO on December 12, 1986.

Throughout his career as a labor leader, Garrison served on the federal and state government task forces including President Clinton's National Commission for Employment Policy, Governor's Council on Human Investment, Governor's Council on Job Training and Unemployment Insurance Advisory Committee. In 1993 Garrison received an honorary Doctorate of Law degree from Michigan State University. He was a lifetime member of the NAACP. Since his retirement in 1999, Frank spent a lot of time at his summer home in Lake City, Michigan, with his family, whom he loved dearly. He will be dearly missed.

Besides his wife, Dora, he is survived by his children, Cheryl and Mike Baase, Carol and Frank Frevola, Jennifer and Matt Spindler; grandchildren, Tammie (Ryan), Nicole (Justin), Danielle (Jared), Matthew (Jessica), Jessica (Tyler), Jeffery (Kristina), Amy (Brian) and ten wonderful great-grandchildren. Also surviving are sister, Margaret Kirkpatrick (Kyle); and sisters-in-law, Donna Egbert and Donnetta Betz; and brother-in-law, Robert Egbert.

Visitation: Thursday, June 18, 2009 from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. and Friday, June 19, 2009 from 10 A.M. to 8 P.M. in the Tiffany Funeral Home, 323 W. Saginaw, Lansing.

Funeral Services: Saturday, June 20, 2009 at 1:30 P.M. at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 7740 W. St. Joe Hwy, Lansing, with Pastor Norman Burger officiating. Visitation from 12:30 to 1:30 P.M. Saturday at the church.

Private burial: Owen Cemetery

Memorials: GM Employee Relief Fund in memory of Frank Garrison. This fund will be used to assist laid off General Motors employees. Checks can be mailed to Capitol National Bank, 200 N. Washington Square, Lansing, MI 48933.

Guest book: www.tiffanyfuneralhome.com

Franklin Delano Garrison of Lansing, MI. Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather and friend passed away Wednesday, June 17th 2009 at Ingham Regional Medical Center at the age of 74 after a brief illness. Franklin Delano Garrison was born December 28th 1934 in Huntington Indiana, son of George Francis Garrison and Archie and Gladys Payne. Husband of 54 years on June 18 to Dora Garrison (Goodboo) Father of Cheryl and Mike Baase, Carol and Frank Frevola, Jennifer and Matt Spindler. Grandfather of Tammie (Ryan), Nicole (Justin), Danielle (Jared), Matthew (Jessica), Jessica (Tyler), Jeffery (Kristina), Amy (Brian) and 10 wonderful great-grandchildren. Also surviving are sister Margaret Kirkpatrick (Kyle) and sister-in-laws Donna Egbert and Donnetta Betz, and brother-in-law Robert Egbert. Franklin Garrison was drafted into the United States Army in 1954 and served two years. In 1972, he was appointed as an UAW International Representive for Region 1D and assigned to UAW Education Department and the Michigan UAW Community Action Program (CAP). He was serving as CAP coordinator for Region 1D when joined the Michigan UAW-CAP legislative office in Lansing as a lobbyist in January 1976. He became President of the Michigan AFL-CIO on December 12, 1986. Throughout his career as a labor leader, Garrison served on the federal and state government task forces including President Clinton's National Commission for Employment Policy, Governor's Council on Human Investment, Governor's Council on Job Training and Unemployment Insurance Advisory Committee. In 1993 Garrison received an honorary Doctorate of Law degree from Michigan State University. He was a lifetime member of the NAACP. Since his retirement in 1999, Frank spent a lot of time at his summer home in Lake City with his family, whom he loved dearly. He will be dearly missed. Visitation will be from 2-4, 6-8 p.m. Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday in the Tiffany Funeral Home, 323 W. Saginaw, Lansing. Funeral Services will be 1:30 p.m. Saturday, June 20, at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 7740 W. St. Joe Hwy., Lansing, with Pastor Norman Burger officiating. Viewing will be from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Saturday at church. Private burial will be in Owen Cemetery. Those planning an expression of sympathy, please make checks payable to the: Frank Garrison GM Employee Relief Fund. This fund will be used to assist laid off General Motors employees. Checks can be mailed to Capitol National Bank, 200 N. Washington Square, Lansing, MI 48933. Friends may visit the guest book at tiffanyfuneralhome.com
Published in Saginaw News on MLive.com on June 18, 2009

Family plot