Harry Garlick Mentor and Friend by Dixie Plata
When speaking with my husband Arnold this past week I asked him “how much longer can I write stories of youth ministry? I have only known a certain number of leaders and interesting stories connected with Youth Ministry and someday, maybe sooner than I would like to think, my memory may fail to produce anything of interest. He laughed and said “you still have more information you have not shared and you knew a lot of youth leaders through the years” Well I suppose that he is correct but still… and then my mind recalled another special friend and mentor of days gone by.
Harry Garlick was born to loving parents on 4 November 1922 in Los Angeles, California. His mother Mable Carroll Garlick and his father Harry Garlick, Sr. called their baby boy Junior. When Harry was 7 years old he and his mother Mable were baptized by H. M. S. Richards, Sr. 16 January 1930 at evangelistic meetings in Los Angeles. When Harry was about 8 years of age the family moved to Van Nuys, California, which was country at that time, and he became a country boy. He grew up with loving parents, horses, cows, chickens, and gardening and really enjoyed his life. His life in Van Nuys came to an end just as he graduated from Van Nuys High School.
Harry Garlick
On 7 December 1941 the United States was at War and 7 days later, December 14, he enlisted in the Army. He had just turned 19 years of age. (Insert Picture Harry Garlick NAD142) Harry’s years in the military were very eventful and at times exceptionally exciting. At Camp Roberts he became a jeep driving instructor, a bugler, attached to the Band’s Drum and Bugle Corps and an assistant company clerk. Then being young and foolish he volunteered for parachute training and was shipped to Fort Benning, Georgia. On completing the training he joined Company D. 505th Parachute Regt., 82nd Airport Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Next the real excitement began with over-seas duty. He was engaged in battles and campaigns in North Africa, Sicily, Salerno, Naples, Foggia, Normandy, Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge) and Rhineland. In the Holland campaign he was awarded the Silver Star, the 3rd highest medal given for gallantry.
The citation in part read… Harry Garlick, 19063356, Private, 505th Parachute Infantry, for gallantry in action on 20 October 1933 near Holland. Private Garlick, rifleman, Company D 505th parachute Infantry took command of a squad when its leader was wounded and led it with high courage and commendable initiative during an important patrol mission. ….. He brought his squad out intact. Inside friendly lines it was discovered that 3 men were missing from another squad. Private Garlick voluntarily returned to the objective, located the men and brought them out safely. His initiative, leadership, and courage under adverse circumstances and in the face of bitter opposition were directly responsible for the successful disengagement of his own patrol and the rescue of three men from another. His exemplary conduct and skill in this action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the airborne forces of the United States Army…
Harry retuned home on 19 September 1945 and was discharged on 27 September with the rank of Sergeant. His first job was being a student with the GI Bill making this possible. His lifetime ambition was to be a veterinarian so he entered Los Angeles City College and began his pre-veterinarian education. After one year at L City College he was accepted at Texas A & M, but before going there something strange happened. While driving home from school it seemed that a voice said to him “I want you to be a minister.” He was so impressed that when he arrived home he had tears in his eyes. He told his mother what had happened and she too cried. At the time he did not realize that she had been praying for this to happen. Being a preacher had not been a lifetime ambition, but the call was so strong that he decided if it was real, then La Sierra College would accept him in the Theology Curriculum. Of course they did! Even though his major was Theology he still took all the subjects he could that related to the field of farming and veterinary, just in case…
Harry graduated in 1950 from La Sierra College and did Post Graduate Courses at Loma Linda University. His first ministerial assignment was in the Southeastern California Conference. In fact Conference President Hicks hired him before he graduated. One day, while still in school, he got a phone call from President Hicks who asked him if he would be willing to be the director of the Pathfinder Club in Loma Linda. It seems that the youth pastor was running the program and he was being transferred and they needed a director. Harry told me when he shared the story that he said yes. Of course President Hicks was his boss, or at least soon to be, so he asked “when do they hold their meetings?” The answer, “on Sunday’s – pretty much all day.” I said “wait a minute, I work on Sunday’s and as a college student I really need to work so I am not sure that would work out.” He asked “how much do you make on a Sunday,” Harry told him the amount, something like $15.and the president said “we will match that amount if you will lead the club for us.” Harry said “yes, but I have one question, what is a Pathfinder Club? The Youth Director was there for a couple Sunday’s to help Harry learn the ropes and then he was on his own. The young people were a great group and he enjoyed working with them. Harry often said he may have been the first and maybe the only paid Pathfinder leader!
Harry Garlick SEC Conf. Camporee
Harry’s first assignment at Southeastern California Conference, (Insert picture of Harry Garlick SEC Conf. Camporee) where he served for 8 years, was a short time as an assistant pastor and then most of the time in the Youth Department. He began his Youth Ministry work with Elder John H. Hancock, followed by Elder Charles Martin. As Associate Youth Director his responsibilities included working with Pathfinders and the Medical Cadet Corps programs. Because of this he was one of the pioneers in the Pathfinder Club Organization that became part of the Church’s Youth Program in 1950. Harry was Ordained 18 June 1954 in Southeastern California Conference. After his ordination he had the privilege of baptizing his father.
Harry married and had a son Bruce Allen Garlick who lives in Durango, Colorado. He also has three grandchildren, Stephanie Ann, Jonathan Paul and Katie.
Harry received a call to be the Associate Youth Director in the Northern California Conference, where he served for only a few months before being called to the Pacific Union Conference. In the Union Conference he served as the Associate Youth Director, Pathfinder Director, National Service Organization Director, and Commander of the Medical Cadets. He served in this capacity for twenty-three years!
It was during this time of Harry’s labors for youth that I became acquainted with him. He often spoke for Camporees in the Pacific Union. In fact he was one of the youth men of the Pacific Union that coined the phrase Camporee in late 1953. Harry also rode his bicycle at various Bike-a-thons including the Ontario Speedway where Southeastern held several Bike-a-thons. He also flew a kite along with Pathfinders at Kite Days in Mission Bay, San Diego. He did a lot of judging at Pathfinder Fairs through the union and even did Club Inspections from time to time. I remember one Inspection when Harry was present, now you had to know Harry to realize what a tall, commanding, military figure he presented to the young people. Inspection in the 1950’s and 1960’s was often a scary time for Pathfinders, especially new ones that had never experienced the procedure before. In those days every button had to be buttoned, everything in place and your finger nails were expected to be clean. As the inspection was beginning to unfold there was a unit of boys “Friends” that looked particularly uncomfortable as they watched the giant of a man inspect those around them. As he approached the boys they were called to attention and Harry having looked them over smiled and bent down, almost in half, and looking straight at one very nervous young man asked “Do you love Jesus?” That was certainly not what anyone expected, especially the young Pathfinder but to me it was a reminder that God is and should always be first in our lives and in our ministry to youth.
After 23 years at the Pacific Union Conference Office he accepted a call by the General Conference to be the Civilian Chaplain in the San Diego Navy and Martine Corps areas. While serving for 7 years in this capacity he also served as Chaplain with the rank of Major, in the Civil Air Patrol, United States Air Force Auxiliary. Because of his flying ability, he was a Flight Chaplain. Later he became the Assistant California Wing Chaplain. During this time he was still the NSO Director for the Pacific Union.
While serving in the San Diego area he married Linda Lou Nelson 23 November 1984 at Coarsegold, California. Linda was a loving, understanding, devoted and fun wife for Harry.
After being blessed by the Lord for 38 years of service to Him and to the Seventh-day Adventist denomination and to his Country he retired in 1988. Harry said that serving God gives one a satisfying and exciting life, which he did indeed have. Harry Garlick died Wednesday 27 June 2007 at home in Coarsegold, California after a long battle with cancer. He left his wife Linda of 23 years, his son Bruce and his grandchildren but also His love for God and the promise that soon they would be reunited once again.
At the Memorial Service which was held at Oakhurst Seventh-day Adventist Church I spoke with Linda and Bruce and thanked them for Harry’s friendship and leadership. It was very surprising that at a later date I was notified to come pick up his plaques and photos and other items to be shared in the Adventist Youth Ministries Museum displays. This display of my friend Harry Garlick will be a special one when we do displays for the Pacific Union. Harry was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. What a privilege to visit the cemetery and the grave site and realize how God led in his live. Won’t that Second Coming be awesome!
