Remembering Carl Garner, Colleague and Friend

A Special Note from the Owner of KFFB:

I was saddened when I heard that a dear friend had passed away. Carl Garner was one of those individuals who will be missed as one of the greatest promoters of Greers Ferry Lake and Arkansas areas.

Carl and I did many interviews over the years promoting the Greers Ferry Lake area.

The interview below ended up being the last interview that Carl ever did to promote the Greers Ferry Clean Up, a yearly event that Carl had founded and was nationally recognized for.

Bob Connell, Carl Garner and Ross More at the 2011 Greers Ferry Lake Little Red River Clean Up

Bob Connell, Carl Garner and Ross More at the 2011 Greers Ferry Lake Little Red River Clean Up

 

Of course, for those that knew Carl Garner, he dreamed of the day we would celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Greers Ferry Dam.

Mrs Carl Garner and Mr. Carl Garner Bob Connell and Mr. Johnson

Mrs Carl Garner and Mr. Carl Garner, Bob Connell, and Mr. Johnson at 50th Anniversary of Greers Ferry Dam.

 

Below, you can hear Carl’s last time ever being interviewed on the radio. Carl loved talking about what it was like being at the Dedication of the Greers Ferry Dam with president John F. Kennedy being the key note speaker at the commencement, over 50 years ago.

I had to pre-record these remote breaks from Carl’s hospital room.

When I first arrived at his room at Baptist Health Medical Center in Heber Springs, Carl was riding his stationary bike like a true champion preparing for the big day that he had spent years waiting for.

Carl Garner was a vital man to the development of both the Greers Ferry Lake area and the state of Arkansas over his long and prestigious career. He met with governors and presidents in the line of his dedication to promote the welfare of the area and people he loved.

Many people didn’t even realize that Carl had come straight from his hospital bed to the 50th Anniversary of the dedication of Greers Ferry Dam, and had to be taken immediately back to his hospital room after the program was over.

This would be Carl’s last public appearance for a Greers Ferry Dam function.

He will be greatly missed, but his impact will last for generations.

-Bob Connell