Gregg Garner

MERRIAM, Kan. -- Gregg Masters Garner, 53, of Merriam passed away Monday, June 26, 2023, at 7:09 a.m. at AdventHealth Shawnee Mission.

Gregg was born July 9, 1969, in Dexter, Missouri. He would tell anyone he had the best childhood growing up in Cape Girardeau. When he wasn't in the home's studio art center creating, you could usually find him outside on his bike. Sponsored by Schwinn Bicycles for two years, he was the 1983 No. 1 State of Missouri BMX racer and an All-Star baseball player. His family moved to Kansas City, Missouri, his freshman year of high school, where he later graduated from Park Hill High. After high school, Gregg realized his destiny was to be a designer and was accepted into the Kansas City Art Institute. Upon graduation from KCAI with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Industrial Design, Gregg's successful professional career was in commercial lighting.

While working for Premier Lighting in Lee's Summit, Missouri, Gregg's projects included designing the exterior lighting of the Kaufman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City, Missouri; the 119th Street Bridge in Olathe, Kansas, and the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge in Cape Girardeau. His earlier accomplishments included designing lighting for companies such as Calvin Klein, Disney World and NASCAR Hall of Fame. He also created merchandise designs and has four patents with Harley-Davidson.

Gregg will always be remembered for his contagious laugh, sense of humor, sensitivity, big heart, big hands, creativity and passion for making the environment a more beautiful place. He was especially proud of his two daughters, Lily and Audrey, with whom he shared his love of the outdoors, the Happy Farm, bonfires, music -- especially Van Halen, biking and all things creative. In his own handwritten words from 1993, his biggest accomplishment was "understanding early in life, that you must be your own person, to have your individuality, and that nobody can take it away."

Gregg was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Dr. and Mrs. E.C. Masters of Advance, Missouri; and paternal grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Ermer Garner of Bloomfield, Missouri.

Survivors include his two daughters, Lily Celeste Garner and Audrey Graeme Garner of Merriam; his mother, "Rusty" Newton of Advance; his "Dad", David Newton; his biological father, James Lee Garner of Bloomfield; big sister, Graeme Garner (Richard) Ellzey of Little Rock, Arkansas; and nieces, Annie Ellzey of Eagle, Colorado, and Emme Ellzey of Fayetteville, Arkansas.

The family would like to especially thank the doctors, nurses and staff of AdventHealth Shawnee Mission for their compassionate, thoughtful and loving care they provided. Gregg was a victim of accidental fentanyl poisoning. He was an organ and tissue donor who provided miracles for many.

The family asks that memorial contributions be made to any animal shelter/rescue organization of your choice, and to consider becoming an organ and tissue donor if you haven't already.

A celebration of life was held Thursday, June 29, with his dear neighbors, co-workers, friends and family. A future celebration of life will be hosted at his happy place, The Happy Farm, in Marble Hill, Missouri.