Roand Garlington

Roand "Roy" Garlington was born in Cleveland, Arkansas on June 10, 1923 to Jackson and Ida Patterson Garlington. Fourteen children were born to this union. He was preceded in death by his parents, six brothers (Benjamin Franklin "Frank", Sidney, Booker T. "Bus", Raymond, Elbert and William "Bill") and six sisters (Mary, Genora "Nora", Cedellar "Della", Larie, Mattie and Zepherine). Roand attended Liberty Springs School in Cleveland, Arkansas. As a young man he served in the Civilian Conservation Corps ("CCC"), a public relief program performing construction of needed public projects, as part of President Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal. His father owned a large farm, and also had his own store in the community. He accepted Christ into his life at an early age and was a member of New Prospect Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ark. After working on CCCs, he entered the US Army. From April 1943 to February of 1946, he served overseas during World War II in the Pacific Theater of Operations, primarily in Burma, with the 428th Signal Heavy Construction Battalion. He was very proud of his military service and his contributions to his country. He will be buried wearing an emblem of the Signal Corps, made for him as a gift by his youngest grandson, Yannick Mathews. He relocated to Kansas City, Kansas in 1948, where he married Viola Byers. The young couple moved to Topeka, KN in 1949. They soon joined Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, where he used his melodious baritone voice to sing in a gospel quartet. After relocating to Denver, Colorado in 1957, he and his family joined Zion Baptist Church under the pastorate of Rev. Wendell T. Liggins. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Viola ("Vi"). They had three children: LaVeeda Garlington-Mathews, Randy ("Tina"), and Roxanne. Roy also has a son Wycliff "Cliff" (Rita) Williams from a prior relationship. Roy and Vi were blessed with 7 grandchildren, including LaVeeda's three sons, Taj, Kahlil and Yannick Mathews, Randy's daughters, Christie (George) Towers, and Karina (Kirk) Goodwin, and Cliff's daughters, Tasha and Tambra. There are also three great-grandchildren, and another on the way, along with a host of nieces, nephews and extended family and friends who shall remember him fondly and miss him dearly. Roy was immensely proud of the accomplishments of his wife, his children and grandchildren. Roy became an avid bowler and served as Captain of his team for many years, earning many trophies and awards. He enjoyed sports and his family and at one time held Broncos season tickets. He used to listen to radio broadcasts of baseball games to fall asleep at night and he loved the Colorado Rockies, often attending games with Roxanne or Randy. He was also an accomplished marksman and hunter. Roy's father was a choir master at New Prospect Baptist Church in Arkansas. All of his sons sang and they had their own family quartet. His wife, Viola, affectionately recalls on their many short trips from Topeka to Kansas City how they (mostly him) would sing as they made their way down the highway, forming their own little duet. Roy didn't talk much, but he loved to sing. He was employed by the federal government for approximately 38 years, which included employment starting with the Veterans Administration Hospital in Topeka in 1949, then the Denver VA, continuing through his retirement from the Denver Mint in 1987 as a Supervisor of the Housekeeping Department. Each year he and his family would take a vacation to places such as the Seattle World's Fair and the HemisFair in San Antonio, when they didn't venture back to visit Arkansas. The family often took camping vacations to places like Yellowstone National Park, Mesa Verde and Flaming Gorge, Utah. He started and cultivated the garden on Zion's open space by Liggins Tower. Growing vegetables brought him immense pleasure, drawing on his Arkansas farming experiences with his family. Roy had a good sense of humor, loved to play cards, bowl, and have a good time. He was also a saved soul. When he suddenly became ill, he never complained. He was grateful for the many blessings he received throughout his 93 years. His quiet strength was present every moment, he denied feeling any pain, and was a soldier to the very end. Surely he will rest in peace in Paradise. The one thing we are confident about is that he will not complain.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell Funerals and Cremation - 2050 Uinta Street, Denver, Colorado
Visitation: 3/24/2017 at 4:00 PM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Service: 3/25/2017 at 1:30 PM - Zion Baptist Church - 933 East 24th Avenue, Denver, CO
Cemetery: 3/27/2017 at 1:00 PM - Fairmount Cemetery - 430 South Quebec Street, Denver, CO
Family Gathering: 3/25/2017 - Reception following the service. Pipkin Braswell Reception Center - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO