Theodore " Ted" Anthony Garber's Obituary
It is with great sadness we bid farewell to a wonderful man, Theodore (Ted) Garber, who left this world at the age of 81 leaving behind his family and friends who loved him dearly.
He was born on December 30, 1941 in Middletown, New York to Theodore and Rose (George) Garber. He was brought home to a very excited older sister named Jean (Garber) Del Pizzo. He was raised in a close-knit neighborhood in Middletown and along with his family which gave him a chance to learn about the culture of his grandparents who came from Italy. He would say if he wasn’t outside playing some type of sports, he was shoveling snow. He made it sound like it was just another game to him.
After graduation Ted enlisted in the United States Air Force. After training he was stationed in Denison, Texas as an aircraft mechanic. That is where he met his wife of 50 years, Myra Buford Garber. They lived in several cities over the years and besides sharing a long marriage they were blessed with five children, three boys and two girls. They raised kids and grandkids until Myra’s passing in 2013. He loved hunting and fishing, and his sons share in that same love. Everyone learned to ride a horse, and even watched him break a few. Another thing he was proud of.
After being honorably discharged from the Air Force, Ted went on to work several different jobs in his life from selling Insurance to working at Restland Funeral Home. Although the career he was most proud of were his law enforcement ones which spanned over five decades. He graduated in the 1966 academy class of the Garland Police Department. He worked his way up from Patrol Officer to Criminal Investigation Division Lieutenant. He was responsible for getting the SWAT team established. He was well known in the State of Texas for the SWAT schools where he saw to the training of other agency officers. After leaving Garland PD to finish his Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science at UTD, he went on to be Chief of Police in Azle and Waxahachie, Texas. After leaving his Chief position he went to work for Dallas ISD Police Department as a Lieutenant, and this is where he retired after several years. After retiring he was not happy just sitting around so he worked the last few years of his life as a Parking Enforcement Officer for the University Park Police Department.
Ted is survived by his current wife, Lisa Garber. His children Shawn Garber and his wife Sheri; Teddy Garber; Idella Garber Perea and her husband Rick; Gina Garber and her wife Deanna; Joe Garber and his wife Leeann. And his stepchildren Ryan James, Elisabeth Eager and her husband Kirk; and Dr. Melissa James, as well as several nieces and nephews. He was very proud to say he had 13 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. He was very proud of every member of his family and loved every one of them. He will be greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers Ted requested that donations be made to the Garland Police Foundation “Never Walk Alone” which aids officers and their families. https://garlandpolicefoundation.org/
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