Service for Arthur John “Rock” Garick III, 75, will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, November 11, 2017, at Dunbar Funeral Home, Dutch Fork Chapel, Irmo with burial to follow in Salley Oakview Cemetery, Salley, SC. The family will receive friends from noon until 1:30 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.
Rock passed away Sunday, October 22, 2017. Born in Richland County, he was a son of the late Arthur John Garick, Jr. and Helen Erwin Smith Garick. He was the husband of the late Cynthia Joyce Marks Garick. Rock was a proud Eagle Scout. He was a graduate of Dreher High School, attended the University of South Carolina and was a graduate of Midland’s Technical College. He became an adjunct instructor at Midlands Technical College and remained a member of the Dreher High School Men’s Monthly Luncheon Group. He was a member of the Professional Construction Estimators Association and retired from LCK Properties where he was a Buyer’s Representative.
A proud United States Army Reservist, Rock served his country while stationed at Ft. Jackson, SC and Ft. Sam Hood, San Antonio, TX. He was a member of the Irmo Chapter American Legion Post #174.
Rock had a love of nature and the outdoors. Always active, Rock coached his daughters’ softball league teams year after year, where his daughters formed lifelong friendships. He taught horseback riding lessons where one of his students went on to become a University of South Carolina Champion Equestrian as well as a USA Gold Medal Jr. Olympian. Rock was an annual kayak and canoe instructor at the Women’s Retreat at Hickory Knob State Park, SC and he also volunteered annually at the LEAF Festival in Black Mountain, SC. He was a former president of the Midlands Three Rivers Palmetto Paddler’s Association having served for eight years and was a judge for the International Jr. Olympics in kayaking held on the Congaree River in Columbia, SC. Rock had a knowledge of the three rivers and was part of the annual “Clean up the Rivers”, so much so, ETV interviewed him concerning the conservation of the three local rivers. His love of the outdoors went beyond the rivers and kayaks as he also had a love of dancing. Rock was an artist of the Shag. The spring and fall SOS always took him to Ocean Drive Beach, SC where he would dance the South Carolina State Dance and also share his talent and love of the dance by teaching others.
During the aftermath of Hurricane Irene and twice after Hurricane Katrina, Rock worked with FEMA. It was during his second mission with Hurricane Katrina he realized his desire to learn how to ride a motorcycle and much to his family’s surprise, Rock purchased a Harley Davidson and rode it home from Louisiana to South Carolina. Rock founded the Tuesday Riding Club of Columbia, SC, became a member of the Patriot Guard Riders, and was honored to be asked to be the Ride Captain of the Blue Knights Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club. His never-ending curiosity led him to the City of Columbia Citizens Police Academy, and soon after graduation he became an Assistant Concealed Weapons Permit Instructor. On September 3, 2014, Rock had the privilege of escorting a WWII Veteran on the WWII Honor Flight to Washington, DC. Amongst all of his accomplishments, Rock was most proud of being a husband, father, grandfather and loyal friend.
Survivors are his daughter and son in law, Kelley and Kyle Kelly; daughter Allison deClemery Garick; sister-in-law, Coleen Garick; granddaughters, Kadelyn Taylor Kelly, Kinley Kelly, Kylie Watts, Janice Paige Adams; and Linda Davis, loved friend. He was preceded in death by an infant son, Mark Howard Garick, and brother, Whitaker Garick.
Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfunerals.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Dunbar Funeral Home - Dutch Fork.
November 9, 2017
Bob Broom
We see each other at the Corner Pocket (which is no longer open) when the shaggers come to dance on Friday nights. We have known each since Dreher high school days. He was always so friendly and a gentleman. We will miss him.
November 9, 2017
Lisa Ray
Kelley and Allison, this is Lisa Ray and I live on Eau Claire Drive. I was very sorry to hear of your father's passing. I will be unable to attend his service, but wanted you to know my thoughts are with you and your family.
November 8, 2017
Tam Hicks
Rock was a kind and decent man. He was my biker buddy, mentor, friend, big brother. Thank you Rock, for allowing me to tag along with the guys. You will be missed.
I love you brother.
Knucklehead
October 31, 2017
Friend
Bob Helmer
R.I.P. Rock......fist bump
October 27, 2017
Steven Coker
I'm told that funeral services have been postponed and are being rescheduled.
October 27, 2017
Barbara Shealy
I have pleasant and sometimes funny memories of Rock. He once invited me to his house for a dressage lesson on his horse. I got so frustrated trying to keep elbows, knees, etc., in the correct position when all the horse wanted was to go to the barn (it was late afternoon which would explain that), I finally gave up. I think he got a huge laugh out of it!!
October 26, 2017
LouEtta Davis
Knew Rock at his wild USC days. Always such a nice and well dressed young man. Haven't seen him since early 60's. Prayers with family at this time. He will see his fraternity brother Bob from Indiana again who passed away about 8 years ago
October 26, 2017
What a great guy, sweet, funny and caring. He loved his family and friends and would always go out of his way to help in anyway that he could. He was a leader, but a gentle soul. I will miss my friend till I die and we meet again across the Rainbow Bridge.
October 26, 2017
We all going to miss Rock, He was always giving everybody high five ,at the
Reunion, and taking picture , and sending by e-mail so everybody could see
What was going on at the reunion. I am sorry for the Family loss. But I will
Keep the Family in my prayer . William Ouzts , West Columbia SC
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