George H Garms

George H Garms, age 76, of Battle Creek passed away on Friday, September 17, 2021 at the AC Flower House in Nashville, Michigan. He was born in Battle Creek on October 9, 1944 to Richard and Ruth (Stein) Garms. He graduated from Pennfield High School in 1962 and had college classes later.

In the fall of 1962, he joined the United States Air Force, two weeks after meeting his sweetheart, Kathleen Crandall. They were married on September 5, 1964 at the Urbandale Methodist Church and recently celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary. George was trained as a radio/radar specialist and after two years of training and marriage, moved to Omaha, Nebraska where he was stationed at Offutt Air Force Base, SAC Headquarters. He worked on the KC-135, the prestigious air command planes – "Headquarters in the Sky".

After leaving the service in 1966 and returning to Battle Creek, George worked for Addressograph Multigraph in Kalamazoo for four years. In 1970, George was hired by American Sign & Indicator Corporation out of Spokane, Washington that eventually became Trans-Lux Corporation. He retired in 2010 after 40 years of faithful service installing and maintaining time and temperature signs and major scoreboards all over the country. His favorite was the football scoreboard at Notre Dame University where "He had to" attend every home game to make sure it ran correctly. He became a fan of Notre Dame football and especially military teams they played. He appreciated what they stood for. He also enjoyed installing the first big boards at MIS (Michigan International Speedway), and became a faithful NASCAR fan.

George was a longtime member of the Kalamazoo Air Zoo. He loved aircraft and would run to the door every time a plane flew over. There wasn't a plane he couldn't identify by its sound. He also loved motorcycles and owned several classic bikes. He'd look forward to his yearly bike trips to the Grattin Classic Motorcycle Race.

George and Kathy raised three great children in their Battle Creek home of 51 years, Darrin (Barb) Garms, Dena (Russell) West and Jonathan (Becky) Garms. George is survived by his wife & children; his grandchildren, Amanda (John) Smith, Drew (Tarra) Garms, Ethan West, Elijah West, Jonathan Todd Garms; Kyle Cobb; and five healthy happy great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters, Sherill (Bernie) Metten and Marcia (Darrell) VanVleet; and a brother & sister-in-law, Larry & Gloria Crandall. George was preceded in death by his parents; a nephew, Douglas VanVleet; a niece, Suzanne Jinks; and a granddaughter, Hayley Jo West.

In 2002, George was baptized and became a member of Pennfield Presbyterian Church.

A graveside service with military honors will be held 1:00 p.m., September 23, 2021 at Bedford Cemetery with Pastor Fred Goebert of Factoryville Bible Church, officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the AC Flower House, 9950 South Clark Road, Nashville, MI 49073, an assisted living home where he received the most amazing care and love. Arrangements by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle Creek.