Obituary of Jack Christian Andrew Garst

Jack Christian Andrew Garst, 85, of Roanoke, Va., joined the love of his life in heaven on Tuesday, February 2, 2016. Born on November 20, 1930, in Roanoke, he was son to the late Luther and Annie Staples Garst. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Gladys Garst Galbraith and Allene Garst Bissaillon, as well as the love of his life, his wife of 58 years, and friend of 63 years, Rose Lee Caldwell Garst. Jack was a strong-willed, compassionate man who led a successful and rewarding life by working hard but loving harder. He left behind a legacy of goodwill, sacrifice, talent, strength, love, and friendship to be cherished and mimicked for generations to come. He was our constant, our rock, our go-to, our mentor and our biggest advocate and fan. He captured and designed beauty from nature and the world around him, building his world brick-by-brick and creating his own tick-tock rhythm for that life he built. He was literally the Jack of all trades-farmer, Naval aviator, electrician, outside sales associate, clock doctor, wood carver, faithful man, champion, fighter, - but above all the highest “trades” were beloved friend, son, brother, husband, father, and “Grampy”. Surviving are his daughters, Patti Lynn Garst Neikirk and husband, Bill, of Salem, and Cindee Lee Garst Hensley, of Roanoke; grandchildren, Michelle Lee Evans and husband, Brett, of Baltimore, MD, Chadd Andrew Newman of Roanoke, Christopher Vance Neikirk of Salem, and Andrew William Neikirk of Atlanta, Ga.; great-grandchildren, Hayden Andrew Joseph Evans, Marissa Lee Evans, Brody Christian Evans, Landry Field Evans, and Pepper Rose Wittle; brother Luther (Pooch) Garst, Jr., and his wife, Martha, of Roanoke; sister-in-law Joan Kincaid of Lynchburg; and a number of nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the American Heart Association or Melrose Baptist Church, 3520 Peters Creek Road, Roanoke, Va, 24019. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at Simpson Funeral Home, 5160 Peters Creek Road. Interment will follow in Cedar Lawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Friday, February 5, 2016 from 5-8 p.m. at Simpson Funeral Home. Arrangements by Simpson Funeral Home. (540)366-0707.