Richard "Dick" D. Garland TSgt. USAF (retired)

Communications Programmer
 

Richard "Dick" D. Garland TSgt. USAF (retired), 72, of Bridgeton, transitioned into a better life on Saturday afternoon June 19, 2010 at the South Jersey Regional Medical Center in Vineland after succumbing to the ravages of emphysema.

The husband of the late Carol Joyce Garland (nee Gruber) who passed away in 2005, he was born in Punxsutawney, PA and was the son of the late Rev. George Paul Garland and the late Nellie Marie Garland (nee Kirkpatrick).

Mr. Garland had a long and prestigious carrier with the United States Air Force. He served as a communications programmer for over twenty years. He served courageously during the Vietnam War where he was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm device. His other medals included: a Presidential Unit Citation, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with a "V" valor device and 2 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters, Vietnam Service Medal with 1 silver and 1 bronze star and the Air Force Longevity Service Award with 4 oak leaf clusters. He retired in 1975 with an honorable discharge. Upon his retirement, he and his family relocated to Bridgeton.

Mr. Garland was a long time member of the First Presbyterian Church in Bridgeton. He was also a 50 + year member of the Luftbrucke Lodge No. 838 AF&AM in Wiesbaden, Germany.

He is survived by two sons, Mark R. Garland of Rock Hill, SC and Timothy K. Garland, CMSgt. USAF (retired) and his wife Julie of Millbrook, AL, three grandchildren, Michael, Brian and Laura Alyssa Garland, one sister, Rowena M. Witt and her husband Rev. W. Gerald Witt of Connellsville, PA, two brother, Archbishop F. Paul Garland of Dover, DE and Winsome W. Garland and his wife Sandra K. of Johnstown, PA and by 2 nieces and 4 nephews. He was preceded in death by one son, George Howard Garland in 2009.

Friends are invited to attend a memorial service on Thursday morning June 24th at 11 o'clock at the First Presbyterian Church, W. Commerce and Giles Sts. in Bridgeton.

The church's pastor Rev. Richard E. Sindall will officiate.

The interment of cremated remains with military honors will follow the memorial service at the Cumberland County Veterans Cemetery, Trench Rd., in Hopewell Twp.

Friends will be received at the church Thursday between 10 and 11 A.M.

Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers are requested by the family to the First Presbyterian Church, 117 W. Commerce St., Bridgeton NJ 08302.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Freitag Funeral Home, 137 W. Commerce St., Bridgeton.

©2009 Freitag Funeral Home, Inc. All Rights Reserved.   Web Hosting & Design Provided by ElectroCities Web Services