James Jeffrey Garner, 30, entered into the gates of heaven on June 20, 2010.

A well-loved son, brother, uncle and friend, Jeff is survived by his parents, Jim and Beth Garner of Birmingham, his sister, Janna Garner Lowery and brother-in-law, Jeff Lowery, also of Birmingham, maternal grandmother, Trudie Edwards of Birmingham, uncles Michael Garner of Hattiesburg, Hal Edwards, Jr of Tampa, Florida, Jim Edwards of Waynesboro, Virginia, aunts Cherice Garner Nobles and Kathryn Garner of Hattiesburg and nephews Brandtley and Braxton Lowery of Birmingham.

Jeff was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Cherice and Kathryn Garner and maternal grandfather, Hal S. Edwards.

Jeff was a natural athlete -a racquetball phenomenon. From the age of ten until he turned 18, he always held a high world ranking in his age group. He earned a spot on the Junior Olympic Racquetball Team and was coach for the RUMBLE, a junior elite Olympic racquetball camp at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. He also held the Alabama State Open Racquetball Title twice.

Jeff was a 1999 graduate of Hoover High School. A lover of all things racquetball and collegiate, Jeff attended the University of Memphis on a full racquetball scholarship and was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and served in a number of leadership positions, including Treasurer. His racquetball team at UM won two intercollegiate national championships with Jeff as a team leader. In addition to earning All American honors he also earned academic All American accolades while the University of Memphis. After graduating with a degree in marketing management from UM, Jeff attended the University of Alabama where he achieved a BS in Finance and an MS in Athletic Administration. At University of Alabama, he helped start an intercollegiate racquetball team, the Crimson Tide Racquetball Club. In Jeff’s four years as it’s head coach, the team won three National Intercollegiate Racquetball Championships and placed 2nd nationally in the fourth. Also, he served as a member of the Intercollegiate Council.

At the time of his death, Jeff was employed by State Farm Insurance Companies in Birmingham.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the Crimson Tide Racquetball Club, c/o Natalie Crockett, 432 Fern Cove Circle, Birmingham, AL, 35224.

Jeff attended Red Mountain Church in Birmingham. Visitation will be held at Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Pelham on Wednesday, June 23rd from 6pm to 8pm. A graveside services will held on Thursday, June 24th at 10am at Southern Heritage Funeral Home.

Wow, he was younger than me, but I played him a few times and we hung out as juniors. That really stinks to hear. I was actually a few days ago thinking of Jeff, wondering what he ended up doing because I haven't heard of him playing lately.

He was probably one of the best shooters I've ever seen. He could just roll the ball out more consistently than anyone - I mean flat rolling. Was crazy.

I hope Jim is doing OK, this has got to be really tough for him and the family. I saw Jim throughout juniors as well, super nice person, as was Jeff and I'm sure the entire family.

Thanks for letting us know Jason, another loss for racquetball, he'll be missed.

I agree Willie. It almost made you laugh at how flat he could roll a ball. I used to serve his backhand when playing him just so I could watch it rollout flat in my face. Always had a smile on his face but was a true competitor. Nicest guy you would ever meet and I am proud to have had him in my life. He made me a better person.

The World is a lesser place without him.

Thoerner

That stinks. He was a sweet person. I only had the pleasure of meeting him a few times, but he always made me laugh and I know Willie thought highly of him. His dad is also a very nice man. Thoughts and prayers for his family who are going through a very difficult time...

Having known Jeff and his dad for over 20 years, they were truly a class act. The Vandersons thoughts and Prayers are with the Garner family during this difficult time.

Can someone please share what happened?? I just talked to Jeff last week & he was doing great. Oh my word, this is heartbreaking.

Horrible news. I played Jeff several times and he was awesome. Great guy with a big heart. He and Jim were were good people that always treated you right. Nothing but positive things to say.

To echo what Willie and Jason said. I remember looking back at Jeff as he rolled backhands in my face thinking "no way he will do that again". Bang! Another one in my face, then another, then another. He was an unbelievable shooter. I had the pleasure of playing dubs with Jeff once and I giggled almost the entire time watching him roll balls from anywhere on the court as I yelled "YOU"!

My condolences go out to the Garner family. The Lane family sends it prayers.

Godspeed to Jeff.

Wow... I'm saddened to hear of Jeff's passing. He continually amazed me everytime I saw him play. I only had the pleasure of playing Jeff a few times in juniors competition, as I was usually a spectator because at the time, I could only wish to be as good as Jeff. He was an amazingly kind and humble person and I feel lucky to have been able to see him play.

My heart goes out to the Garner Family.

We want to thank everyone in Jeff's racquetball family for their thoughts and prayers. These have brought great comfort to Beth and myself. Jeff loved racquetball and all his racquetball friends and their families. We think his days playing in juniors were his favorite times. We know this next week in MN he will be looking down and wishing he could hit a few backhands and compete. It have been very hard on us, we are in shock,very sad and heartbroken. At his service hundreds of folks showed up from all over the country to honor our Jeff. He was buried with his racquet, an Alabama visor, a Boston Red Sox visor, a U.of Memphis team shirt, pictures of his nephews (whom he adored) and of course dressed in a dark polo. He was often referred to as the man in black because of his like of dark playing shirts. Jeff was a "gentle giant". He was a giant of a man with a heart of gold. As someone said at his services the next time you hear thunder think of Jeff warming up on that Heavenly Court up in the sky with his booming backhand. We will miss him dearly,we will never get over our tragic loss but our Father has him in Heaven. He and his old coach, Jack Sorenson, we know are working on a Heavenly Team. Thank everyone for their kind words and please continue to keep us and Jeff in your thoughts and prayers. We love all you guys.

Jim and Beth Garner

racuofa

We want to thank everyone in Jeff's racquetball family for their thoughts and prayers. These have brought great comfort to Beth and myself. Jeff loved racquetball and all his racquetball friends and their families. We think his days playing in juniors were his favorite times. We know this next week in MN he will be looking down and wishing he could hit a few backhands and compete. It have been very hard on us, we are in shock,very sad and heartbroken. At his service hundreds of folks showed up from all over the country to honor our Jeff. He was buried with his racquet, an Alabama visor, a Boston Red Sox visor, a U.of Memphis team shirt, pictures of his nephews (whom he adored) and of course dressed in a dark polo. He was often referred to as the man in black because of his like of dark playing shirts. Jeff was a "gentle giant". He was a giant of a man with a heart of gold. As someone said at his services the next time you hear thunder think of Jeff warming up on that Heavenly Court up in the sky with his booming backhand. We will miss him dearly,we will never get over our tragic loss but our Father has him in Heaven. He and his old coach, Jack Sorenson, we know are working on a Heavenly Team. Thank everyone for their kind words and please continue to keep us and Jeff in your thoughts and prayers. We love all you guys.

Jim and Beth Garner

Mr Garner,

I have never met you or your son, but reading from what everyone has written i can only imagine what a proud father you were of your son and how well you raised him to be.

Im sorry for your loss.

Deepest condolences,

Lou Orosco