John Joseph Garger, age 53 of Chatsworth (a.k.a. Chatsvegas), Georgia, followed the stairway to Heaven on July 14, 2014. John and Betty Garger welcomed their bouncing baby boy, their firstborn, on December 5, 1960. Their family grew by two, with the addition of two princesses, Denise, who later married Dan Grace, and Annette, who later married Bert Fekete. To ring in the New Year, John asked Virginia Spaits to be his bride. Wedding bells rang on March 20, 1982. Two years later, their oldest and wisest daughter, Jessi was introduced into the world. Their family was not complete until their smiling sunshine hippie star was born, Brittany Amanda Garger. In a sunset beach wedding, John and Ginny gave away their beautiful daughter Jessi to Shane Presley, their new favorite, Gator-loving son-in-law. Being the independent, career-driven women that John and Ginny raised the girls to be, Jessi and Brittany blessed them first with furry grandchildren: the late Naunie, Oliver, Yogi, Alex, Seamor, and Charlie.

John's dedication and loyalty was best seen through his acts of service to Georgia Concerns of Police Survivors and the Knights of Columbus. Throughout his 30+ year career, John impacted countless lives around the nation by his diligence, attention to detail, his expertise in many aspects of the carpet and flooring industry, and his passion to always help others. He prided himself on excellent customer care and went the extra mile to ensure that clients were satisfied. John was employed by Tandus and served as Product Care Manager for the past 14 years.

John is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Ginny; amazing daughters, Jessi and Brittany; son-in-law Shane; parents John and Betty; sisters Denise and Annette and their husbands Dan and "Bert"; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends. Who can forget his five grandpuppies? John was preceded in death by his grandparents, the late John and Anna Garger and the late George and Betty Seier.

Visitation will be held at Ponders Funeral Home in Dalton, Georgia, on Friday, July 18, 2014 from 5 8 pm. Funeral service will follow on Saturday, July 19, 2014 at 3:30 pm, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church of Dalton, Georgia. John will be laid to rest at Whitfield Memorial Gardens with Shane Presley, Bert Fekete, Dan Grace, Willie Spaits, Jathan Whitehead, Noah Fekete, and Chris Pratt as pallbearers.

In keeping with John's giving and selfless spirit, donations can be made to one of the following: Concerns of Police Survivors (P.O. Box 1237, Gray, Georgia 31032), Murray County Animal Shelter, Knights of Columbus, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Ponders Melrose Chapel, Dalton, GA. (706)226-4002 YOUR SELECTED INDEPENDENT FUNERAL HOME