John Garland, 79, of Dowagiac, Michigan, passed away on August 14, 2026, in the same community where he was born on October 28, 1946.

John was, in the best possible way, a regular guy. He was easygoing, charismatic and jovial, with a knack for making people feel welcome. A true people person, he enjoyed conversation, told his fair share of dad jokes, and rarely made it through a story without slipping in his signature “dahdahdah.” Those who knew him well could usually sense when it was coming and couldn't help but chuckle before he even got there.

John spent his career working as a grocery buyer and in the grocery industry, but among the jobs he held over the years, he was especially proud of his time as a “Little Debbie man.” He later retired from Kraft and Nabisco.

One of the great loves of John's life was golf, and it became an important part of the relationship he shared with his son, James Garland. James' own love for the game began during childhood visits with his dad. He still remembers being about seven years old when John had a 3-wood and 7-iron cut down just for him. James would tee off ahead of the adults and then play right alongside them.

John and James did not have a close relationship during much of James’ childhood, but when he. was around 21, the two found their way back to one another. James eventually moved to Michigan to be near his father, and golf became something that belonged to the two of them. Whether playing a regular round at Hampshire Country Club or participating together in a charity tournament, time on the course gave father and son a place to connect, laugh and build the relationship they had missed in earlier years.

As the years passed, James also discovered just how much of his father he carried within himself. Their similarities showed up not only in personality, but in their mannerisms and the little things that made John unmistakably John. James came to realize that he was, without question, his father's son.

Holidays often meant time together with his son and his family, and Thanksgiving was especially enjoyed by John. He loved a good Thanksgiving dinner and could put away an impressive helping or two of mashed potatoes.

John is survived by his son, James Garland; his sister, Peggy Friccus; and his nieces and nephews, Quentin, Tiffany, Tim, Sandy, Jenny, Kelly, Dana and Molly.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Martha and Jack Garland, and his brother, Richard Garland.

John didn't need extravagance to enjoy life. Give him a golf course, a good meal, people to talk to, a story to tell and someone willing to laugh at a dad joke, and he was content. He will be remembered as a warm, welcoming and genuinely good man whose ordinary, everyday presence became something very special to the people who loved him.