Rev. Dr. Charles F. Garrod
Rev. Dr. Charles “Chuck” Garrod passed away on Thursday, July 25 at Clark Retirement Community in Grand Rapids, MI at the age of 89. He was born October 7, 1929 to Fred and Edith Garrod in Lawrence, MI. His family was very involved in the Lawrence United Methodist Church, and that is where he fell in love with and married the preacher’s daughter, Marcile Bowen. They were married for 63 years when Marcile passed away in 2013.
Following their marriage, they moved to Wilmore, KY, where he graduated with a BA degree from Asbury College. From there they moved to Lawton, MI, where he served St. Paul’s and Porter Methodist Churches. While serving these two churches, he commuted weekly to Evanston, IL to attend Garrett Theological Seminary earning a Masters of Divinity degree. He went on to earn a Doctor of Divinity degree from Adrian College.
From Lawton he went on to serve the following Churches: Kalamazoo Simpson, St. Louis (MI) First, Grand Haven Church of the Dunes, Grand Rapids Trinity, Lansing Asbury, and served as District Superintendent of the Central and Grand Rapids Districts. In 1995 he retired after serving as the D.S. for the Grand Rapids District. God called on him to continue his service as an Associate Pastor at the Church of the Dunes for seven years, and he then retired for the second time.
Chuck was involved on many committees and boards within the conference, the communities where he lived and at Clark Retirement. He was instrumental in developing and opening a Christian counseling center in Kalamazoo. Both he and Marcile were instrumental in securing the first missionaries to Cameroon and organizing the start-up of a United Methodist Church there.
He was a compassionate, caring, gentle and humble man. His love of his Lord was evident in his daily walk of ministry, not only to those in his congregations, but to everyone he met.
He is survived by his daughter, Christine Killingsworth and sons Philip (Brenda) Garrod, Mark (Sally) Garrod and Tim Garrod. Also surviving are grandchildren Rob (Rebecca) Garrod, Adrienne Garrod, Andrew (Eponine) Garrod, Sarah Garrod, Tim (Kelly) Garrod, Connor Garrod, Emily Killingsworth, and great-grandchildren, Rain Magrum, Drake Garrod, Landon Killingsworth and a great-grandson to arrive in October. He is also survived by brother Fred (Pat) Garrod, sister-in-law Rachel Garrod and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother Robert Garrod and sister Gertrude Sparks.
A celebration of Chuck’s life will be held at Trinity UMC in Grand Rapids on Saturday, August 24 at 11:00 a.m. with a luncheon to follow. Visitation, also at Trinity, with be held on Friday, August 23 from 4-7 p.m. and 1 hour prior to the service on Saturday.
In Lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church or to Clark Retirement Benevolent Fund.
Condolences may be sent to:
Christine Killingsworth
934 Merritt St. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49507