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COLUMBUS, GA (WTVM) - Coroner Buddy Bryan confirmed the first cold weather-related death in Columbus today.
Paul Garner, 51, was found deceased in a vacant lot on 3rd Ave. and 15th St. Bryan declared his cause of death to be failure to thrive.
A former classmate says Garner was a graduate of Baker High School and has been homeless for more than 20 years. He was an only child and his mother died many years ago.
Garner will be buried in a potters field.
More details will be added as they are provided.
Paul Garner Funeral Fund
If you would like to contribute, please do one of the following:
1) Go into any CB&T branch and tell them you wish to contribute to the Paul Garner Funeral Fund, account #1005418999 and make sure you tell them it is an East Alabama CB&T account. That is critical or they will not see it.
2) Mail a check to the following branch and include a note on the check indicating that it i...s for East Alabama Acct #1005418999 for Paul Garner Funeral Fund:
CB&T Bank of East Alabama
1000 13th Street
Phenix City ,AL 36867
334-297-7000
(If you have already mailed a check, you should call the branch where you sent it and notify them of the account number and that it is an CB&T of East Alabama account. Toni Wolfe '80 has asked them to notify the branches directly that some checks are coming in. She doesn't want anything falling through the cracks.)
3) Go into any Synovus affiliated bank, you do not have to have an account with them, and tell them you want to contribute to the East Alabama CB&T special account for the Paul Garner Funeral Fund, account #1005418999.
Thank you. Please do not contact Diane directly about the account, she is swamped with work, and please do not call the coroner or the bank to get information. I know you all are very concerned about making sure Paul is taken care of, but there has been a lot of confusion and people are getting overwhelmed. I promise you from the bottom of my heart, that I will give you the latest information as soon as possible. I will post it here and to each of the Baker groups. ~~ Toni Wolfe '80
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Gwen Fowler (Setayesh) (1975)
01/12/14
My heart was breaking when I heard the local news relative to finding the
body of a local homeless person "frozen to death"; needless did I know it
was Paul Garner at the time, because this was not revealed by the news.
He was still a young person; and to be homeless for over 20 years! This
is totally unacceptable in any city environment. I for one hope that "all"
BHS people see the importance of us "ALL" staying connected by class
reunions, gatherings, picnics, thinking of you notes, etc.; because you never
know how much it means to another just by letting someone know that
they are cared about & important to others around them! You do not have
to be blood related just to share a kind deed or smile! God bless his heart
and God rest his soul in peace!
BHS class of 75;
Gwen Fowler-Setayesh
Toni Wolfe (1980)
Graveside Memorial Service for Paul B. Garner
When: Friday, January 17, 1:00 p.m.
Where: Parkhill Cemetery, Columbus, GA
4161 Macon Road, Columbus, GA 31907
(Directions: http://www.dignitymemorial.com/parkhill-cemetery/en-us/directions.page)
Rev. John Boulineau, a chaplain with the Open Door Community House, will officiate the memorial service.
I would like to take a moment to tell you how much it means to me and all of us all that so many people reached out and made this all possible. Several Columbus businesses and fellow Lions pulled together to make this happen, including to change to weather forecast as of today. It proves that together we can do anything! I am truly blessed to be a part of such a wonderful family. Paul was and will remain a part of this family.
I look forward to seeing you all at the services on Friday. Thank you all again, from the bottom of my heart.
Melissa Bumper (Lewis) (1972)
Rest in peace Baker Lion!
Joyce Torbic (Livingston) (1971)
He looks so familiar, but he was about 10 years behind me. I was late reading about all this, but I am so proud of all the Lions who worked so hard to make this a special day for Paul. I left Columbus in 2005 but it breaks my heart to think of anyone, but especially a former Lion, to have ended his life this way and to have been all alone when it happened. R.I.P., Paul...God Bless...
Cheryl Pennington (Hancock) (1969)
Classmates and friends of Paul Brian Garner....I am so touched by the generosity of each of you that helped to give Paul a proper and final resting place.... worthy of a fellow lion. God Bless each and every one of you!! I am so proud!!!
Cheryl Pennington Hancock
1969
Samuel Jeffry Jelks (1970)
I almost cried when i found what baker high alumni had done for this man. This was absolutely fabulous! Y'all deserve to give yourself a great big pat on the back! I went to a reunion several years ago and actually saw some good kids that were there. This along with the paul garner funeral proved to me that not everything that came out of baker was bad! There was allot of good that came out of that school!
Toni Wolfe (1980)
I am so thankful for all of my fellow Baker Lions who helped to make so much possible in memory of our friend and former classmate Paul Garner. Today (Friday, February 28, 2014), another article was published after officials with the homeless organizations we were able to help contacted the newspaper. They are so very grateful for our generosity. You can read the article here: http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/2014/02/27/2976741/richard-hyatt-a-proper-baker-burial.html.
Also today, I received a call that Paul's marker was put in place today. What timing! They sent me this picture and I want to share it with you all. Thank you everyone! -Toni Wolfe, Class of 1980
Sharon Janelle Hudgins (Clauson) (1983)
Paul, I know you were with us when we returned your Earthly body to
the Lord. There were very few dry eyes. We may not have been close,
but you made me feel accepted, and your smile forever shines inside
me. Because of you, Baker High School was able to come to the forefront
in a positive way: Lions eveywhere, and Columbus, came together to
ensure you were given a proper burial, and bring attention to the
plight of the homeless. While many of us would change the way you
passed, we know and are comforted by the fact that you are Home,
resting in the loving arms of the Father. GOD bless you, Paul, and give
you peace and rest.
Toni and Joyce, thank you for your tenacious spirit, and going beyond
the call of duty for one of our fallen. Thank you for allowing me to
play a small part in Paul's memorial service. GOD bless you, and
keep us all safe.
Marlene Carr (Lantzer) (1975)
Toni & Joyce, You are true "Angels"! Thank you for all your caring, thoughtfuness and sincere effort to make this possible for Paul. He deserved so much more. I hope to meet you both this September at the All Baker Reunion. Marlene Carr Lantzr BHS'75
Danny Williams (1975)
My god always keep you next to him and keep ypu warm RIP Baker Lion. Danny WilliamsBHS75