Gregory Garman Obituary

Wilder - Caldwell, Idaho - Gregory Scott Garman was born in Caldwell Idaho to Michael and Linda Lanfear Garman. Mike had recently been drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the first round of the MLB draft. Linda and Greg were soon traveling nationwide in support of Mike and his career. Later, joined by little brother Sean, the family moved from Boston to St. Louis to Chicago to Los Angeles (Greg had his own clubhouse locker) then to Montreal. At each stop the boys got to live the dream of many baseball fans, spending glorious summer days in big league ballparks, making friends, and watching the best in the world play the sport that both Greg and Sean would grow to love.

During the offseason Greg began attending public schools in Caldwell. Beginning in 2nd grade at Lincoln Elementary Greg made many lifelong friends. Those friendships carried into little league baseball, where Greg was a part of many championship teams, and then into basketball where Greg ended his time at Caldwell High as one of the top scorers in the state of Idaho. Also, during high school Greg and his teammates were part of highly successful baseball teams and, in the summers led the Caldwell Silver Streaks to a legion baseball state title and set the record for the most wins in a single legion season in Caldwell. Greg was an excellent hitter and first baseman, but it was his pitching that set him apart.

Greg graduated from Caldwell High School in 1985 and then began his college baseball career at Mira Costa Jr. College in California. As expected, Greg excelled and was then recruited to the reigning national champion LCSC team in Lewiston. A series of shoulder and elbow problems followed, and Greg had to end his baseball career. Greg then moved back to the Treasure Valley where he finished his communications degree at Boise State University.

After graduating with his degree at BSU Greg met Kristina Lord. Kris and Greg hit it off immediately. She was the yin to his yang and was one of the only people who could, and would, let Greg know who the boss really was. They fell deeply in love and were married in 1995. In 2001 their first daughter Lauren was born and three years later their second daughter Brooke arrived.

A longtime family friend, Andy McCluskey owner of Northwest Distribution hired Greg for his internship which began his professional career in sales. He stayed with the company his entire career continuing to sell food products to schools and institutional buyers throughout the western U.S. for over 31 years. He established an impeccable reputation for taking care of his customers. As a result, he was the company's highest producing seller for most of his tenure and was still working on his customers' behalf until the end.

Greg's greatest passion became his daughters and their athletic efforts. He coached both Lauren and Brooke (and dozens of others) in softball and his deep knowledge of baseball resulted in both girls excelling in the sport. Lauren played softball for all 4 years of her college career before graduating from The College of Idaho. Brooke was also a tremendous softball player but decided instead to pursue her love of volleyball at Central Washington University.

Greg loved his boats, and he loved fishing. The adventures he, Kris, his father Mike, his brother Sean, and great friend Dean Morrison had on the various boats that Greg owned are legendary. Greg would run some of the most difficult water in Hells Canyon and on the lower Snake River in pursuit of salmon, steelhead, and sturgeon.There are many words that are appropriate in describing Greg and his life. One of the most accurate would be fierce. Greg loved his wife and his daughters fiercely. He loved his mother, father and brother fiercely. He was a steadfast friend who valued and protected his many close friendships with ferocity.

Greg never backed down from a challenge. He took everything on with fierce determination. Even to the end.

In 2018 Greg was diagnosed with a particularly stubborn form of cancer. As with everything else in his life he fought the disease with courage and tenacity. Through surgery and chemotherapy and radiation Greg did what he had always done. He kept fighting - fiercely. On Wednesday December 20th Greg was admitted to St. Alphonsus Medical Center of Nampa. On the evening of Friday, the 22nd his body did what his will never had. It gave up the fight. At his passing Greg was surrounded by his wife Kris, their daughters Lauren (with fiance Alec Hopkins) and Brooke (with boyfriend Milo Mertz), and his parents Mike and Linda. He passed peacefully and without pain.

Greg was preceded in death by his grandparents George Lanfear, Beth Klatt Lanfear, and Houston Garman. He is survived by Kris, Lauren, Brooke, Mike, Linda, Sean (Jean), grandmother Nadine Stockton Garman, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

The family is grateful for the excellent care by Saint Alphonsus Cancer Care Center Nampa Dr. Chawla, Dr. Brooks, and their nurses and care teams. Saint Alphonsus ER and Hospital Dr. Blaine, Nurses, Chaplans and Social Workers were all very caring, professional and compassionate.

Services celebrating Greg's life will be held on Thursday January 4th at 2:00 pm at Deer Flat Church, 17703 Beet Rd., Caldwell, Idaho. In his memory, you're invited to make a donation to either American Cancer Society or Vallivue High School Softball.

Condolences may be shared at www.dakanfuneralchapel.com