Dana Garrison

Beautiful. Loving. Adventurous. Forgiving. These are only a few words to describe Dana Carol Garrison. She touched the lives and hearts of so many people. She was always happy and spread optimism wherever she went, in spite of the difficult journey life gave her.

She was born in Wichita, Kansas on June 23rd, 1964, her family moved regularly due to her father being a military man. “13 schools in 12 years”, she used to say. Because she had moved so often in her childhood, it was important to her to put down roots and that journey began in the city of her birth, Wichita. There, she had two daughters that she would do anything for.

Her journey brought her to Texas in 1995 and she was determined to make Texas her home. Newly divorced and in a place, she knew no one, she did the bravest thing she could; she stayed. It was here she truly shared with her girls her love of horses, fostering summers of memories and deep friendships that endured through the years. It was here she finished her degree in accounting. Graduating from the University of Texas at Dallas was an enormous milestone for Dana, something she worked tirelessly for, as she single-handed raised two girls. It was here she began her 15-year career with Keurig Dr Pepper, inspiring so many others in every position she held. She explored her love of nature, traveling to new places and jumping into new experiences, never fearing what the world had to show her, unless there were wasps. Texas became home.

In 2013, a new chapter began when she met the love of her life, Allan Garrison. He shared her love of the outdoors and horses and her faith. They bonded through nature and through God. What started as a good friendship blossomed into a great love. She “broke the contract”, Allan would say, and in 2019 they married, becoming one of the happiest days of Dana’s life. Together, they would travel the country in their RV, Rest and Relaxation, while enjoying riding, hiking, and the peace only the wilderness can bring.

In 2018, Dana was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer. In the years to follow, she would battle courageously to overcome this illness. All throughout her fight, she kept her spirits high. Even when it returned in 2020, she fought hard to smile and laugh with her family. She fought through the pain to play with her grandchildren and enjoy a cup of tea on the back porch, watching her horses graze. Her hardest battle was when it returned at the beginning of 2022. Her will was strong, but her body was not up for another fight so soon. Her last moments were surrounded by family, knowing she was loved deeply.

This world lost something truly precious in her passing. May you rest in a better place, Dana. Another angel has her wings.

Dana is survived by her loving husband Allan Garrison; children Alicia Crowley, Krista Wilkin, Andrea Cook, Seth Garrison, and Corban Garrison; grandchildren Xander Gomez, Xaden Gomez, and Wesley Crowley; brothers Daniel and Michael Maynard.  She was preceded in death by her parents Lowell Dean and Sharon (Shipman) Kay.

There will be a memorial service to celebrate Dana’s life Thursday, August 4, 2022, at 4:00 p.m. at Legacy Church, 5333 Independence Pkwy, Plano, Texas with Pastor Justin Foster officiating.