Pete Garner

Pete "Petenis" Garner, 49, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, at Saint Francis Medical Center.

He was born March 15, 1966, in Cape Girardeau to Wayne and Therese Johnston Garner. He married Vicki Sander on May 29, 1993.

Pete honorably served his country in the United States Navy from 1984 to 1993, where he actively participated in the Gulf War and the bombing of Libya. While in service to his country, he received the distinction of being one of only four seamen who received the Seaman of the Year award for that year.

He was very passionate about coaching and helping children. Pete and his family lived in Jacksonville, Florida, from 1993 to 1999. While living in Jacksonville, he coached a baseball team with children who had autism, Down syndrome and muscular dystrophy. He was a Cub Scout leader and president of a Cub Scout troop division.

Editor's note: The following has been corrected from the previous version.

In Cape Girardeau, Pete was a coach for the Saturday morning youth bowling league, where he proudly watched his children excel. He was a member of the Friday night bowling league and participated in the family doubles league with his children. He coached soccer for four years and was president of the CAYSA soccer league for three years. He also volunteered at swim meets for the Gator Swim Team.

Pete worked for Mondi Inc. (formerly Nordenia) for 16 years, where he received employee of the month and was nominated for employee of the year. He was a proud member of the Moose Knuckles and the "girls" group at work. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Vicki, of Cape Girardeau; a son, Garet Andrew Garner; a daughter, Mykaela Garner; his good friend, John Spear, all of Cape Girardeau; his uncle and godfather, Tim Johnston of Shawneetown, Missouri; his aunt and godmother, Eve Beaty of Millersville; his mother, Therese Robbins; and a sister, Laura Respondek, both of Jackson.

He was preceded in death by his father and a brother, Michael Garner.

A celebration of life hosted by the family of Pete "Petenis" Garner will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, at the 4-H Building in Arena Park in Cape Girardeau.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Autism Society of America.

Crain Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau is in charge of arrangements.

To leave online condolences, please visit www.crainsonline.com.