Carl J. Garrich

Carl J. Garrich died on February 8, 2016 peacefully at his home at the age of 97. Carl was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Gloria Ward Garrich, his mother Pauline Dolny Garrich, his father Mike Garrich and his sisters Marie Garrich Hamel and Frances Garrich Senko.

Carl was a lifelong farmer and began farming in 1941. Carl was active on many levels including being past president of the Lonoke Farm Bureau, president of the Lonoke Grain Dryer, and serving on the Riceland Foods executive committee. In 1971 Carl began growing organic rice and became one of the largest growers in the country. He took great pride in recalling that he was the first farmer to produce 200 bushels of rice per acre in Arkansas.

In 1946 he married Gloria Jean Ward and and they had one child, Stephanie. Carl is survived by his daughter Stehanie Garrich McGhee, her husband Dr. Timothy McGhee and 5 grandchildren, Christopher Stephen McGhee, Michael Stuart McGhee, Matthew Mattimore McGhee, Bridget McGhee Wiggins and Zachary Michael McGhee as well as 8 great grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Mr. Bob Skarda, Mr. William Skarda, Mr. Danny Smith, Mr. Christopher McGhee, Mr. Michael McGhee, Mr. Matthew McGhee and Mr. Jason Smith. There will be visitation at St. Rose of Lima Catholic church in Carlisle at 10:00 on Friday, February 12th, with a funeral mass at 10:30.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Mrs. Alice Smith who was his primary caregiver for the last 16 months. We would also like to thank Mrs. Louise Grayson and Mrs. Helen Holoman for all they have done to help Mr. Garrich over the years. A special thanks to Ellen Woodyard who was Carl’s Hospice nurse for all of her love and care for him. In Lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to either St. Rose parish or Baptist Hospice.