CWA Mourns J.R. Garrison, Retired District 7 Representative

Jerald “J.R.” Garrison, who retired last year as a CWA representative in District 7, died March 10 after a long battle with lung cancer. He was 66.

Garrison, who rose from steward to president of Local 7470 during his years as a technician with Lincoln Telephone and Telegraph Co, now Alltel, died at his Lincoln, Neb., home.

District 7 Vice President John Thompson, who was the local’s staff representative during Garrison’s leadership, said his friend “was one of the finest, most progressive presidents I’ve ever known.”

Garrison was known for his clever one-liners, his love of union songs and his strong work ethic. CWA Representative Reed Roberts said Garrison’s professionalism and experience made him a valued mentor. “To have someone working with you who really knows what he’s doing makes all the difference,” he said.

His wife, Cindy, said he was a workaholic who loved his union career. “He was a class act,” she said. “He was the most devoted man for a purpose I have ever known.”

Garrison, who was born and raised in Nebraska, started his telephone career as a lineman in 1956. After six years as a local president, he was hired by CWA in 1990 to work in Washington state. He transferred to the Omaha, Neb., office in September 2000, retiring in October 2001.

Garrison was a registered lobbyist who also served as a delegate to the Nebraska AFL-CIO and as a member of the Lincoln Tel Charter Revision Commission. He also served on the boards of United Way of Lincoln and the LT&T credit union.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by three daughters, a son, five grandchildren and an infant great-granddaughter.