David Taylor Garner

David Taylor Garner, age 77 of Maryville, passed peacefully on March 19th after battling Parkinson’s Disease for over twenty years.

David was born October 29, 1947, to Gene and Dorothy (Maples) Garner of Maryville, TN. He attended Maryville High School and remained local to attend Maryville College, graduating in 1970. After graduating with a degree in physical education, David began his career in teaching at South High School where he coached junior high football as well as high school track and field. After South became a middle school, David continued to coach for the girls’ basketball team. Mid-career David returned to Maryville City Schools serving as a teacher and Assistant Principal at John Sevier Elementary. He also completed his master’s degree in education at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. David taught for 36 years before his retirement in 2009. He was inducted into the University of Tennessee’s College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences Hall of Honors for Educators in 2012 and the Blount County Sports Hall of Fame in 2016. David enjoyed fixing all sorts of things, fishing, traveling, building model trains, and attending as many sporting events as possible.

He married his childhood sweetheart Cheryl Glenn of Maryville, TN, in 1969, and together they had five children. He is predeceased by his daughter Emily Garner. He is survived by his wife of fifty-five years, Cheryl (Glenn) Garner, and his children Missy Garner, Suzy Booker (Bob), Julie Garner, and Dave Garner (Whitney), grandchildren Abigail and Jack Garner, and his brothers Johnny Garner and Jimmy Garner.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of David to Maryville College, 502 E. Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Maryville, TN 37804 or https://www.maryvillecollege.edu/giving/give-today/. Family will receive friends from 12:00 until 2:00 PM, Friday, March 28, 2025 at The Life Event Center, 1410 Tuckaleechee Pike, Maryville, TN 37803. Smith Funeral and Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com.