Dr. Robert Davies Garren
September 19, 1934 ~ February 26, 2013
Resided in:
Candler, NC
Dr. Robert Davies Garren, 78, of 103 Yarrow Lane, Candler, died Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at his home.
Born in Hendersonville on September 19, 1934, he was the son of the late Earl V. and Dorothy Davies Garren. Dr. Garren served the Asheville area as a dentist for over 35 years. He was a member of Merrimon Avenue Baptist Church and former member of West Asheville Baptist Church where he served faithfully for many years.
Dr. Garren served his country in the Army and was an active part of many professional and community organizations. In addition to holding other leadership positions, he was elected president of the North Carolina Dental Society and the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners. He was also inducted into the American College of Dentists and the International College of Dentists. Throughout his life and career, Dr. Garren was blessed with many wonderful friends and staff.
The family is grateful for the caring and competent services provided by Memory Care, DayStay, Clare Bridge, Home Instead, and Care Partners Hospice during his battle with Alzheimers.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara Mashburn Garren; daughter Ashley Garren Stewart and her husband Alan of Gastonia, daughter Kristi Garren Dockery and her husband Daniel of Candler; brother William R. Garren and his wife Patricia of Travelers Rest; and grandchildren Garren Keith Stewart, Grant Avery Dockery, Gentry Elizabeth Dockery and Myers Elizabeth Stewart.
Services will be held at 3:00 Saturday afternoon at Merrimon Avenue Baptist Church with Pastor Daniel L. Dockery officiating. Burial will be at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Candler.
The family will receive friends from 7:00 to 8:30 Friday evening at Groce Funeral Home in West Asheville.
Memorials may be made to Merrimon Avenue Baptist Church, 283 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, NC 28801.
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So sad to see this news, but rejoicing for the reward Dr. Bob is receiving for a life well lived. Dentist…Sunday School Teacher…neighbor…FRIEND. It was such a joy to grow up on Fairfield Drive as a neighbor of this wonderful family. My condolences and much love to you all.
Dear Bobbie, Kristi, and Ashley,
We are so deeply sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. He will always hold a very special place in our hearts.
Vonda and Becky
Sorry to see Dr. Garren had passed on…a nice man and good Dentist. I was referred to him by Dr. Elizabeth Taylor. I only knew him for about 1 year. Condolences to the Family.
In Christ,
Dottie Burge
Charleston
Saddened to see the loss of Dr. Garren, however happy to see such an exemplary person pass through Heaven’s gates. It is a pleasure to say I worked for the best dentist in Asheville not to mention the kindest of hearts. Dr. Garren will always be fondly remembered by me as well as the many other people who’s life he had an impact on.
I am proud to say that I along with his other longtime employees cherish our time with him.
Bob was my mentor, as a professional in the dental community he guided me to be the best I could be –he will be greatly missed–no replacement.
Bobby my thoughts are with you
Bill Turbyfill
I was saddened to see of the passing of Bobby. His brother Bill and I were in the the Boy Scouts together Bobby was my dentist, and friend.
I’m very sorry to learn of Dr. Garren’s passing. He was my dentist for 30 years and a very good man.
It was a joy to hear Dr. Garren teach Sunday School some years ago at West Asheville and to also hear about his mission trips which he was so dedicated to.
Love and prayers to the family of Dr. Bob Garren.What a redmarkable man, and friend to all. Thank you for the honor of caring for him at Clare Bridge of Asheville. We look forward to the day of no more goodbyes, and only Eternal hellos!may God keep all of you in His strong arms of Comfort, Hope Peace, and Light.
Dr. Garren’s Family:We are saddened to learn of Dr. Garren’s death. Our prayers are with you and send our deepest sympathy.Dr. Garren became our dentist when he began practice and continued until his retirement. Not only was he our dentist throughout the years, but he was a good friend. Cecil & Kathy Tallent
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this most difficult time. What an honor to be a friend of Dr. Garren. His love for his fellow man made such a difference to all who knew him. God Bless you and keep you as you will reman in our prayers.
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Dr Garren was a good man,dentist,friend.He and my late husband were great friend and shared the love of flying owning their bonaza.Heaven has gained with our loss. May God be with you.
I will be in Texas and will not get to come for visitation.
Hollie Morris
Dear Mrs. Garren, Ashley and Kristie,
So sorry to hear of Dr. Garren’s passing, out thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Steve and Pam Farmer
Although I know he is in a better place, I am so sorry to hear about Bob! He was a wonderful boss and friend! My time working for him was such a memorable and positive experience. My family and I so loved and respected him! You all are in my thoughts and prayers. Lots of love,
Garren family (Ashley):
So sorry to hear of your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers. We are sure that you have wonderful memories to get you through these trying times. May God bless you in the days to come.
Dr. Garren was our dentist and friend for many years. He will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
SO sad to read of Dr Garren’s passing, & while we know he’s in a better place, it’s so hard to lose him! All of you were & still are VERY special to me! When I heard him as a teen tell about what Easter meant to him, if I hadn’t already been a Christian, I would’ve after that! Taking care of Ashley & Kristi when you 2 were little was also such a highlight of my life! He sure will be missed, but I know we’ll see him again! You are all in my prayers!
Family-
I met Dr. Garren when I was in elementary school and he quickly became my friend and dentist. He watched me grow up and even took time to visit me during my years at UNC when he was there at the dental school. He later took care of my wife and two boys until his retirement. I grew to love and respect Dr. Garren over the years and he will be missed by all who knew him. May God Bless all of you as my prayers will be with the family.
Tony Gentry
Bobbie,this is to extend my sympathy in Bob’s passing. I was glad I got to renew our acquaintance when I began serving on the Mars Hill College Board. Ken
Dear Mrs. Garren, Kristi, and Family,
I am so sorry to hear about Mr. Garren. He was such a good, caring, and loving man. Both Mr. and Mrs. Garren helped me and my first husband so much when he was sick. I have the highest respect for him.
Kristi, you have been such a good friend over the years. I love you and I am sorry for your loss. We will be praying for you all through this time.
Mrs. Garren, Ashley, and Kristi, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Dr. Garren. I hold very dear his friendship with my dad and all the wonderful beach memories. My family’s thoughts and prayers are with you. Sharon, Dave and Molly
Sincere condolences to Mrs. Garren and Family. Dr. Garren was such a wonderful man. He will be missed as he was one of a kind.
In His Name,
Harry & Ruby Grooms
Dear Garren and Dockery family. It is a comfort – those who love will be reunited in eternity. Our prayers are with you at this time. We pray that His Grace and Love will surround you at this time.
From the Fisher and Cloninger family and the folks at Biltmore Iron and Metal we send our love and thoughts. Dr. Garren was our dentist for many years and friend at West Asheville Baptist. I know that he, John Fisher and Don Cloninger are telling all sorts of jokes together now! Love from us all!
Dear Garren Family,
Was sorry to hear of Dr. Garren’s passing. I will always remember seeing him riding around in the convertible. Such a nice, sweet man. Will be keeping your family in our thoughts and prayers.
so sad to hear of dr garren’s passing. as a former employee i have so many awesome memories of him. i don’t know that i have ever seen a person who loved to hear a good joke any better than dr garren. he could recall a joke about any subject matter and couldn’t wait to tell it to you! he would always say ‘that reminds me of a joke’ and here he he’d go with the joke!
also such a fine example of a christian, husband and father. he truely loved his family and was so proud of them.
he also loved his church and church family. i loved to hear the story of the night that west asheville baptist church burned and the part that he played in the rebuilding of that structure.
i can only imagine the celebration as he is being reunited with those family members and friends that have gone on before him.
may God bless this family in the days and weeks to come as you reflect back on a life well lived.
Dear Family,
I’m so sad to read of Bob’s passing and want to send my condolences to you Bobbie, Ashley and Christy. You know how fond I am of your entire family. I pray for the Lord’s comfort in your time of sorrow.
Dear Mrs. Garren, Kristi and family,
I’m so sorry to hear of Dr. Garren’s passing. He was always so kind and always had a smile on his face – a beautiful one at that. You all are in our thoughts and prayers. Love you!
Bob and Iwent to Leewards then on toClemson. Bob transfered to Wake Forest.Haven’t seen him for a long time.He was a great friend and like a brother.He willbe missed.God bless Bob and his family. PEACE
Bob was my Sunday school teacher and dentist. He was a great influence on me during those formative years. My condolences to the family.
Dear Bobbie & family, Our prayers for all of you are for strength to attend to those things that must be taken care of, comfort as you grieve your loss and peace as you go about your daily lives wrapped in warm memories of Bob knowing that he is now in a place of eternal joy. What a great help he was to our family as he gave such great dental care to my parents and I will never forget how he ministered to us when my brother, Edward, passed away. We also remember his staff and the gracious way they cared for my parents in their final years. Sincerely, Bruce & Joyce
I was saddened to learn from Ruth Farmer of Bob’s death. My deepest sympathy to you and all of the
family.
Strength to you at this time of loss.
Jean M. Ward
Winston-Salem, NC
i was so sorry to hear about Dr.Garren.It is so hard to lose a loved one but you do not grieve like someone without any hope.One day you will be reunited with him never to know any more suffering, pain or seperation. my love and prayers to you all.
Bob Garren was a fabulous dentist, person and friend to our entire family. He not only cared for our teeth but those of our two daughters. Our love to the family. Connie and Charles Cathey
Dr.Garren was such an exceptional dentist.He truly save my teeth for which I shall be forever grateful!
More importantly, he was a unique person who loved life and so enjoyed his patients. My sympathy to his family as I know he will be deeply missed.
Garren family, It is sad for the ones left to cherish memories, happy for Dr. Bob! for he is with his Heavenly Father. I enjoyed talking to Dr. Bob at the end of our driveway many years ago. He was a sweet man. I know he will be missed.
Was saddened by the loss of Dr. Garren
He was our dentist for many years and
he along with his nurse were so kind
and always understanding.
We shall deeply miss him.
Dr. Garren was my dentist for most of my life, and a really wonderful person. I’m so sorry to hear of his passing, and wish his family much love. I know he’ll be missed by all whose lives he touched.
Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. Peace to you all.
Dear Bobbi and famiy,
We are so sad to hear of Bob’s passing. He was so much to so many. Never met a stranger. Always had a joke.
You all are in our prayers.
Howard and Bev Andrus
Mrs. Garren, I got to know Bob at Clare Bridge where my dad is too. He always had a smile for me and we would talk when I visited. What a precious man he was. I pray you have many happy memories with this sweet man. May God bless you and your family.
We were so sorry to learn about Bob. He was always a perfect gentleman, even as a boy. Our sympathy to Barbara and family, as well as Bill.