Former ATA Chairman Vernon Garner Dies at 69
Led Trucking Group From 2002-2003
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Garner Transportation Group co-founder and former American Trucking Associations Chairman Vernon Eugene Garner died Tuesday, following a lengthy bout with cancer. He was 69.Garner was ATA Chairman from October 2002 to October 2003.An Ohio native, Garner graduated from high school in 1955 and went to work for Libbey Owens Ford Glass in Rossford, Ohio. In 1960, he and his wife, Jean, founded Garner Trucking in Findlay, Ohio, and began hauling agricultural products.The company’s focus shifted to regional shipment of general commodities. It later opened a satellite terminal in Greenville, S.C., adding such services as expediting, warehousing, logistics management, third-party services, contract maintenance and transportation consulting.In 1997, the Garners formed an umbrella company, Garner Transportation Group.Garner joined the Ohio Trucking Association Board of Trustees in 1981 and became OTA's chairman in 2000.During his ATA tenure, the highlight of his chairmanship was his meeting with President Bush in the White House Rose Garden in 2002.Garner was also a longtime board member of the Truckload Carriers Association,ATA Chairman Patrick Quinn recalled Garner as “a talented businessman dedicated to the trucking industry, one who was always willing to give back to the trade that had made him such a success.”ATA President Bill Graves said, “The entire ATA family sends its deepest sympathy to Jean, and to their daughters and extended family. We will keep them in our thoughts and prayers as we focus on our many happy memories of Vern and Jean’s time with us.”“Vern was a man of integrity,” said Keith Tuttle, an Ohio Trucking Association member. “He was a true gentleman, and one who was grateful for what the industry did for him and always gave back.”Garner was a member of the College First Church of God and was a trustee of the University of Findlay, which gave him an honorary doctorate in 1996. His special interests included riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, yard work, Ohio State University football, NASCAR and caring for his many pets.Besides his wife of almost 50 years, Jean, he is survived by a sister, three daughters and five grandchildren. Services will be held this Saturday, March 24, at 10:30 a.m. at College First Church of God in Findlay, Ohio.Memorials can be made to the College First Church of God, 1100 North Main St., Findlay, OH 45840; the Humane Society of Hancock County, 4550 Fostoria Ave., Findlay, OH 45840; or the OSU Foundation for Melanoma Research, P.O. Box 183112, Columbus, OH 43218.Online condolences may be made at www.coldrencrates.com.
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