Oliver L. ''Pete'' Garner

Oliver L. “Pete” Garner of 385 Kimberly Ave., died Wednesday, May 16, 2001 at Mountain Area Hospice. A native of Asheville, he was the son of the late Sally Oliver Garner and Andrew J. Garner, Jr. of Asheville. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Ruth Hayes Garner, who passed away on March 6, 2000. He was President and CEO of Hayes & Hopson, Inc. before retiring. He was very active in the automotive parts after market before his retirement, having served as President of the Virginia-Carolinas Automotive Wholesalers Association - a four-state association of jobbers. He was also a member of the board of directors of The Automotive Service Industry Association - a national association of over 6000 members. He was a past board member of The Asheville Merchants Association, The Asheville Chamber of Commerce, and The NC Jobbers Association. He was past Secretary-Treasurer of Asheville Country Day School and a past member of the Board of Directors of the UNC, Chapel Hill Alumni Association. He was also past President of the American Business Club and member of The Asheville country Club for over 50 years. He was a very loyal UNC, Chapel Hill alumnus - a strong and active supporter of all Carolina athletic teams. He also served as vice-chairman of the Buncombe County Morehead Scholarship Committee for a number of years. He is survived by his three sons and their families, Dick and Peggy Garner and their son Hayes of Myrtle Beach, SC, their daughter Lisa and her husband Will Copeland of Apex, NC; Gary and Jan Garner and their son Lovell of Arden, their son Chris of Fairview, their daughter, Elizabeth and her husband Chris Johnson and their son Westin which was the first great-grandson of Richmond, VA; and Bob Garner and his sons, Bryan and Jon of Colorado Springs, CO.. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Polly Garner of Arden. Graveside services will be held at 3:00 PM Sunday, May 20 at Riverside cemetery, where he will be laid to rest beside his wife, the love of his life. The family will receive friends on Saturday evening, May 19 from 5-8:00 PM at the home, 385 Kimberly Avenue. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mountain Area Hospice, The American Heart Association, or to the charity of your choice. Groce Funeral Home, Patton Avenue is in charge of arrangements.