Richard A. "Dick" Garra, age 72 of Alliance, died at Aultman Hospital at 6:30 a.m. September 19, 2003.
He was born in Alliance on October 8, 1930 to Kenneth and Orpha (Jones) Garra, and was a lifelong resident.
Mr. Garra graduated in 1948 from Alliance High School, received his Bachelor's degree in 1954 from Cleveland Bible College (now Malone College). He received his Masters' degree from Kent State University in 1959, and continued post-graduate studies at Kent State University, University of Akron (Doctoral Program), Bowling Green State University, Miami State University, and the University of Maryland.
He was presently the owner and operator of Dick Garra Art Studio. He previously taught elementary school for one year, junior high for seven years, and was an Assistant Principal of West Branch and Marlington High Schools for six years. He was superintendent of East Canton School District for three years, and Principal of Lexington and Washington Elementary schools for twelve years, and instructed college math and math methods courses part time at Malone College and Mount Union College. He was a Mount Union College summer camp instructor in watercolors.
Mr. Garra also was an adult education instructor for Marlington Local Schools and Alliance Community Services, teaching watercolors, public speaking, basic math, and G.E.D. for 15-20 years. He also was a marketing consultant for Alliance Community Services for three years.
Mr. Garra was a U.S. Army veteran, having served active duty for two years, and inactive reserves for six years.
He was a member of Alliance Evangelical Friends Church, and enjoyed traveling. He traveled extensively throughout the United States, Canada, 21 European countries, and the Middle East. In 1975, Dick was a volunteer coordinator of Summer Play Scheme for children in Belfast, Northern Ireland. In 1989, he traveled and painted throughout Switzerland, Germany and Austria. In 1993, he spent three weeks traveling and studying at Folk Colleges of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, as part of an International Elderhostel Program.
Mr. Garra was past president of: Alliance Art Center, Friends of Rodman Public Library, Alliance Community Concert Association, Alliance Kiwanis Club (and Lieutenant-Governor in 1977 and 1989), Alliance Toastmasters Club, Alliance Education Association, and Alliance City Recreation Board.
He was vice-president of Alliance Retired Teachers Association, produced and narrated "Morning Meditations" over Radio Station WFAH daily for six years as a community service. He produced and narrated "A Tip in Time" over radio station WHBC in Canton as a community service.
Dick was a former member of: Alliance City Council, Alliance Committee for Improved Race Relations, Ohio Speakers Forum, Greater Canton Writers Guild, Alliance Family Counseling Service Board of Directors, Alliance Council of Churches, and Alliance City Hospital Volunteers.
He was presently: a life member of Ohio Education Association, member of Alliance Camp of Gideon's, member of AARP, member of Alliance Crime Watch Program, member of Stark County Retired Teachers Association, member of Phi Delta Kappa, assistant activities director at McCrea Manor Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, director of watercolor painting workshops, Guardian Ad Litem for Stark County and Columbiana County Juvenile Courts, and taught children and adult Sunday school classes at Alliance Evangelical Friends Church.
His other interests included, theme vacations, story-telling, professionally and recreationally, music, theater, sports and reading.
He is survived by his wife Karen (Zellers) Garra, whom he married Oct. 1, 1976, two sons, Lieutenant Colonel Neil Garra, U.S. Army, of Sierra Vista, AZ, Captain Thomas Garra, Canton Fire Dept., of Minerva, OH, brother Rev. Bob Garra of Marion, IN, sister Naomi Bixler of Sandusky, OH, sister Arnita Sukosd of Alliance, brother Arlan Garra of Alliance, brother Aaron Neil Garra of North Canton, and granddaughters Jessica Garra, and Adrienne Garra, both of Pensacola Christian College, Pensacola Fla., and Christine Garra, and Aubrey Garra, both of Minerva.
Mr. Garra was formerly married to Anna Mae (Johnston) Garra.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday at Alliance Evangelical Friends Church with Rev. Robert Garra of Marion First Friends Church of Marion, Indiana officiating.
Friends may call from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Thursday at Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home. Interment will be in Marlboro Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to World Vision P.O. Box 70200 Tacoma WA 98481-0200, 1-800-777-5777.
Arrangements are by Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home 75 S. Union Ave. Alliance, Ohio 44601. Register online at www.ctcfuneral.com.
He was born in Alliance on October 8, 1930 to Kenneth and Orpha (Jones) Garra, and was a lifelong resident.
Mr. Garra graduated in 1948 from Alliance High School, received his Bachelor's degree in 1954 from Cleveland Bible College (now Malone College). He received his Masters' degree from Kent State University in 1959, and continued post-graduate studies at Kent State University, University of Akron (Doctoral Program), Bowling Green State University, Miami State University, and the University of Maryland.
He was presently the owner and operator of Dick Garra Art Studio. He previously taught elementary school for one year, junior high for seven years, and was an Assistant Principal of West Branch and Marlington High Schools for six years. He was superintendent of East Canton School District for three years, and Principal of Lexington and Washington Elementary schools for twelve years, and instructed college math and math methods courses part time at Malone College and Mount Union College. He was a Mount Union College summer camp instructor in watercolors.
Mr. Garra also was an adult education instructor for Marlington Local Schools and Alliance Community Services, teaching watercolors, public speaking, basic math, and G.E.D. for 15-20 years. He also was a marketing consultant for Alliance Community Services for three years.
Mr. Garra was a U.S. Army veteran, having served active duty for two years, and inactive reserves for six years.
He was a member of Alliance Evangelical Friends Church, and enjoyed traveling. He traveled extensively throughout the United States, Canada, 21 European countries, and the Middle East. In 1975, Dick was a volunteer coordinator of Summer Play Scheme for children in Belfast, Northern Ireland. In 1989, he traveled and painted throughout Switzerland, Germany and Austria. In 1993, he spent three weeks traveling and studying at Folk Colleges of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, as part of an International Elderhostel Program.
Mr. Garra was past president of: Alliance Art Center, Friends of Rodman Public Library, Alliance Community Concert Association, Alliance Kiwanis Club (and Lieutenant-Governor in 1977 and 1989), Alliance Toastmasters Club, Alliance Education Association, and Alliance City Recreation Board.
He was vice-president of Alliance Retired Teachers Association, produced and narrated "Morning Meditations" over Radio Station WFAH daily for six years as a community service. He produced and narrated "A Tip in Time" over radio station WHBC in Canton as a community service.
Dick was a former member of: Alliance City Council, Alliance Committee for Improved Race Relations, Ohio Speakers Forum, Greater Canton Writers Guild, Alliance Family Counseling Service Board of Directors, Alliance Council of Churches, and Alliance City Hospital Volunteers.
He was presently: a life member of Ohio Education Association, member of Alliance Camp of Gideon's, member of AARP, member of Alliance Crime Watch Program, member of Stark County Retired Teachers Association, member of Phi Delta Kappa, assistant activities director at McCrea Manor Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, director of watercolor painting workshops, Guardian Ad Litem for Stark County and Columbiana County Juvenile Courts, and taught children and adult Sunday school classes at Alliance Evangelical Friends Church.
His other interests included, theme vacations, story-telling, professionally and recreationally, music, theater, sports and reading.
He is survived by his wife Karen (Zellers) Garra, whom he married Oct. 1, 1976, two sons, Lieutenant Colonel Neil Garra, U.S. Army, of Sierra Vista, AZ, Captain Thomas Garra, Canton Fire Dept., of Minerva, OH, brother Rev. Bob Garra of Marion, IN, sister Naomi Bixler of Sandusky, OH, sister Arnita Sukosd of Alliance, brother Arlan Garra of Alliance, brother Aaron Neil Garra of North Canton, and granddaughters Jessica Garra, and Adrienne Garra, both of Pensacola Christian College, Pensacola Fla., and Christine Garra, and Aubrey Garra, both of Minerva.
Mr. Garra was formerly married to Anna Mae (Johnston) Garra.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday at Alliance Evangelical Friends Church with Rev. Robert Garra of Marion First Friends Church of Marion, Indiana officiating.
Friends may call from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Thursday at Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home. Interment will be in Marlboro Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to World Vision P.O. Box 70200 Tacoma WA 98481-0200, 1-800-777-5777.
Arrangements are by Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home 75 S. Union Ave. Alliance, Ohio 44601. Register online at www.ctcfuneral.com.
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