Loren Edward “Buddy” Garman, 78, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Sunday (January 15, 2012) at Twin Pines Adult Care Center in Kirksville.

The son of Roy Edward and Ida Mae (Speaks) Garman, he was born March 27, 1933 in Kirksville, Missouri. On November 26, 1958 in Kirksville, Missouri, Buddy was united in marriage to Jessie Marie Bowen.

Buddy is survived by his wife Marie of fifty-three years; one son and daughter-in-law, Darrell and Henrietta Garman of Kirksville, MO; one daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Steve Holt of Columbia, MO; four grandchildren, Alisha Dromey and husband Neil, Shaun Holt, JoLynn Lunsford and husband Marty and Dustin Garman; six great-grandchildren, Troy Dromey, Madalynn Dromey, Grayden Holt, Brooklyn Holt, Morgan Lunsford and Jacob Lunsford; his brother-in-law, Vernon Buddy Funk of Hurdland, MO, as well as several nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Norma Lee Zollars.

Buddy was a lifelong resident of Adair County, receiving his education in the Kirksville public schools. He served as an X-Ray Tech in the United States Army and after being honorably discharged, returned home. Buddy then worked for Updyke Motors, Doff Hayward, Lee Poston and Miller Ford Sales before opening his own business, (Buddy Auto & Towing Service) where he operated forty years until retiring.

He was a member of the Southside Baptist Church of Kirksville.

Public visitation will be held Wednesday (January 18, 2012) after 4:00 p.m., with family receiving friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Thursday (January 19, 2012) at Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville, with Pastor Aaron Rodgerson officiating. Music selections “What A Day That Will Be” and “When They Ring Those Golden Bells” will be provided by Nate and Elizabeth Burns, who will be accompanied by Miss Vee Rodgerson, organist. Interment will follow the service at Parkview Memorial Gardens in Kirksville.

Pallbearers will be Link Maggart, Larry Tague, Billy Wernert, Ray Sizemore, Keith Hammons and John Burkholder. Honorary bearers will be Vernon Buddy Funk, Gene Pinkerton, Dick Weber, Donnie Ellis, Bob Holt, Jerry Shoemaker, Sonny Findling, Larry Pipes, Lonnie Byrn and Boyd Halford.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Buddy Garman may be made to the Southside Baptist Church. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.