Central Pierce firefighter was ‘full of life,’ active in local fire service community

John Garner was known for his warm smile and welcoming personality. But if you ever sat next to him during a Seattle Seahawks game, you might remember him as the person who blew your eardrums out.

“He was the loudest cheerer out in the stands,” Garner’s fiancee Carlyn Parker said.

Garner was a season ticket holder for about 15 years, Parker said. He only missed two home games throughout the years.

Garner passed away in his Tenino home on Dec. 14 from cardiac arrest. He was 45. He is survived by his fiancee, 39, and her 13-year-old son.

When he wasn’t watching the Seahawks play, he worked as a firefighter. He joined Central Pierce Fire & Rescue around 2016 after spending a decade with the Ocean Shores Fire Department. He was active with the local unions for both fire departments.

“He was the best father and husband a girl could ever ask for,” Parker said. “He was just the best person, the best brother and the best son.”

Garner was born on March 20, 1977 in Sunnyside. His family moved around a lot, and he was homeschooled after fifth grade. He spent his teenage years in Marysville, joined the Army in his early 20s and lived in Hawaii for some time.

After serving in the Army, he started his firefighting career at Ocean Shores. He met Parker around 2005 when she worked at a coffee stand and he worked as a lieutenant for the local fire department.

Parker said they kept running into each other throughout the years, then rekindled their connection four years ago and decided to be each other’s partner for the long run, she said.

“He wanted to be that rock for somebody, and I loved that about him,” Parker said.

When Garner continued his career at Central Pierce, he consistently contributed food and toys to families through the International Association of Firefighters Local 726’s Adopt a Family program.

Garner also recently joined Central Pierce’s water rescue team. He had been training and building skills to help with water rescue missions. He was supposed to finish his training this month, Parker said.

Visiting the Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial in Colorado was important to Garner, captain paramedic Michael Auvil said. He said Garner always found a way to honor firefighters that have passed or served for a long time.

Auvil, who is also the IAFF L726 District 6 vice president, said Garner always volunteered to help. When the union needed someone to lead a project or task, Garner took it upon himself whenever possible.

One of Parker’s favorite moments with Garner involved swing dancing and singing karaoke. His favorite track to sing was George Thorogood and The Destroyers’ “Bad to the Bone.”

“He was full of life,” Parker said.

A memorial service is being planned for the new year.