Samuel Garrison

Samuel Garrison, age 85, of Elmer, NJ, passed away on Friday May 17th, 2019 surrounded by his family.

Son of the late Jay C. and Helen Hetzel Garrison; and his brother, the late Jay C. Garrison Jr. Sam enjoyed traveling, sightseeing, the Jersey Shore, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, plus many other historic and special places. Sam especially enjoyed reading, spending time outdoors, and watching grandchildren's events. Sam was raised on a family dairy farm in Salem Co. He graduated from the College of Agriculture at Rutgers University in 1954, while he was there, he was co-captain and received Honorable Mention/All American Award as a lacrosse player. He served his country in the US Army as part of the Military Police. After leaving the military Sam returned to Rutgers for 2 years to graduate with Agricultural Economics degree. This led him to join the New Jersey State Dept of Agriculture as an agricultural economist in 1959. He retired 42 years later as the assistant secretary of agriculture. During a career that spanned over 50 years and to this day, Sam was a dedicated advocate for agriculture in NJ. He served a key role in development of a number of critical agricultural policies that have helped the garden state retain a thriving agricultural sector despite dense urbanization. Sam was involved in many farmland legislation issues. He was also involved in many other agricultural programs, committees, groups, boards, and councils in which he received many awards, recognitions, degrees and accomplishments. If it had something to do with agriculture in New Jersey, Sam was probably a part of it. Sam currently owns a preserved family farm in Salem Co. which he leases cropland to a neighbor and manages his own project to upgrade his 85-acre wood lot. Left to carry on his memories are, his wife of 58 years, Edith Marie (Woodside) Garrison; his three sons, Samuel II (Michele) of Ewing, NJ, Jeffrey S. (Debbie) of Burlington, KY, and David A. (Mollie) of Lehighton, PA; his 5 grandchildren, Lindsey (Corey), Stephanie, Abbi Jo, Tyler, Austin; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Funeral Services will be held at 12:00 noon, Wednesday, May 22nd in WOODSIDE FUNERAL HOME, 613 Salem-Quinton Rd., Rt. 49, Quinton Twp. Relatives and friends may visit with the family Wednesday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon. Burial will follow at the Olivet Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family request that donations be made to the: New Jersey FFA Foundation Inc., PO Box 214, Allentown, NJ 08501. Please include Samuel Garrison in the memo of the check.

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