James Burgus Garrison

Jim B. Garrison was born June 6, 1966, in San Diego, California. He passed away August 11, 2022, at the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City, Utah, from an aggressive form of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. He was 56.

He was the second of three children, and the only boy born to Ronald B. and Joyce Garrison. His family moved to Smithfield in Cache Valley when Jim was nine, where they were introduced to and joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He attended school in Cache Valley until his family moved to Oregon where he graduated from high school. Jim served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Minneapolis Minnesota Mission. Upon returning from an honorable mission, Jim earned his Associates Degree from Weber State University and started working for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Security.

Jim had one daughter from his first marriage, Stephanie Marie Garrison. As father and daughter, they learned sign language together, went camping and enjoyed many father/daughter adventures. Jim enjoyed Disneyland as a child and shared this love with Stephanie. Then later, David, Greta and Shawn.

Jim liked cooking and enjoyed a good recipe. He would follow it exactly and make sure it was seasoned to perfection, especially steak. His idea of a good meal was simple, yet always excellent quality. He loved breakfast for any meal. He was known for his chicken noodle soup, and it was his go-to when anyone needed a meal. White chicken chili was his most recent favorite recipe.
Jim and Suzette met through their employment with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and celebrated 21 years of marriage this past February. They have three children. David Paul was born in 2003 and Greta Eileen in 2005. Shawn Timothy joined them in 2008. Jim adored his family. He loved his children. Jim made every effort to build his children’s character and instill in them a strong work ethic.

Jim loved spoiling his children, a little too much according to some, but his children might argue, “never enough.” As babies, they always had a warm towel waiting for them after a bath and Jim will always be affectionately known as the “Christmas Master” because of his extravagant, well-thought-out gifts.

He was completely focused on his family, and it can be said of Jim that he was a protector, provider and patriarch to his family.

Jim is survived by his wife Suzette Jonak Garrison, his sons David Paul, and Shawn Timothy, and his daughters Stephanie Marie (Vincent) Venutolo, and Greta Eileen. His parents Ronald and Joyce Garrison, and his sisters Suzie Garrison and Debbie (Kelly) Dobson. His father-in-law Virgil (Marilyn) Jonak, and his sisters-in-law Jill (Jene) Prudent, Natalie (Jerry) Wheeler, and Jacqueline (Eric) Wittwer, and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his mother-in-law Marilyn Packer Jonak, his grandparents David & Eileen Reynolds, and Alice & Gary Garrison, his Spanish Mastiff, Tess, and his two cats Charlie and Hershey.

A viewing will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Sunday, August 14, 2022, at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main Street, Bountiful, Utah. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, August 15, 2022, at the Bountiful 4th Ward Chapel of The Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 102 East 1400 South, Bountiful, Utah, with a viewing from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the church prior to services. Interment will be at the Bountiful City Cemetery.

The services will be streamed by the ward using the following YouTube link:  www.bountiful4thward.org