R L "Pete" Garner

R L "Pete" Garner, of Liberty Hill, Texas, passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early morning hours of July 16, 2024 at the age of 94.   He passed at his home with his wife, Teresa, beside him.  Pete was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.

A graveside service with Military Honors is planned for 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 20, 2024, at Bagdad Cemetery, 400 N. Bagdad Rd, Leander, Texas 78641.

He was born to Ray Garner and Willie Mae Garner in Bexar County on August 31, 1929. Pete’s father followed the oil field work so, he grew up everywhere from east to west Texas. Pete always had a story to tell and, one old friend even commented, they must be true cause he tells them the same every time. After graduating high school, Pete enlisted in the Army in May of 1947. He served 2 years, mainly in Panama, as an aid to General Matthew Ridgeway. He was very proud of his service with General Ridgeway and shared may stories with family and friends over the years. After his Army service, Pete came home to Austin and went to work at anything he could find. He was a hard worker and never felt a job was beneath him. In 1950 he met Peggy Carlton and they were married on December 25, 1952. During his marriage to Peggy, they worked together in the Real Estate Industry, in home sales and home building. They bought property in Cedar Park and created two iconic businesses, The Rabbit Habbit restaurant and Packer Pete’s Emporium. They operated these landmark businesses until Peggys Death in 1982. Pete was an avid hunter and fisherman and, instilled the same passion in his sons. He was never idle and always looking for a new project. Pete never tired of visits from friends or strangers, as long as they listened to his stories, Pete and Teresa Anderson begin their life as a couple in 1984 and married in August of 1989. They traveled many miles across the country, camping and fishing together and, from those travels in the Blueridge Mountains they conceived an idea for another business, The Stocktank General Store which opended in 1987. They operated the local store, and dance hall for several years until they closed in 1992, They reopened in 2014 with a restaurant and closed in 2016 due to Pete’s health.

Pete is preceded in Death by his parents, Ray Luke Garner and Willie Mae Perry Garner, his wife Peggy Carlton Garner, a brother Raymond Garner, sisters, Carolyn Johnson, Mildred Holmes, Barbara Geacone, Francis Bratten and Betty Senkel.

Pete is survived by his wife, Teresa Anderson Garner, sons, Raymond (Tinker) Garner and wife June, Johnny Garner and wife Tina Garner and, daughter Tracy Purcell Nohra and, one brother, Lester Garner. He is survived by 5 grandchildren, Christie Newby and husband Matt, Kimberly Gault and husband Brian, Luke Garner, John Ray Garner and Callie Mae Garner He is also survived by 8 great-grandchildren and countless nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank all the friends and family members who contributed to Pete’s care for the last few years and, a very special thanks to his amazing care team from Magnolia Hospice. Services for RL (Pete) Garner will be Saturday July 20th at 10 am in Bagdad Cemetery Leander, Texas.

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