Harold L. Garrison, age 95, of St. John, ND passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 14, 2024, at SMP-St. Kateri Hospital, Rolla, ND.

Harold Lloyd "Shep" Garrison was born on July 12, 1929, in Rolette County, North Dakota to Frank and Hazel (Tweeten) Garrison. He was raised on the family farm in Baxter Township near St. John, where his love for horses and farming began. Shep completed his education in the 8th grade. From there he began working for threshing crews in the area. When he was growing up, Shep, his parents and siblings played in a family band who would play for bush and barn dances. At the age 8 or 9 he was put up on a counter at a local establishment, which is now known as the Border Bar & Grill in St. John (his go to hangout spot later in life for a glass of "Chillable Red") to sing a song called "Old Shep". As a young man he would play guitar and sing that same song, hence where his nickname came from.

On August 6th, 1954, he was united in marriage to Mary Bryant on the Bryant farm, the farm where Mary was born and raised near St. John North Dakota.  During their marriage they had seven children, Guy, William (passed away at birth), Merrilee, Patsy, Peggy, Jeff, and Kristi.

Shep worked construction for many years and worked for other local farmers until 1966 when he started in the PMU business.  He had a special connection with horses and enjoyed their company. He loved staying busy on the farm and did so until he was 93yrs old.

Shep loved old western and fiddle music, polka music, and dancing. He and his sister Gerry would swing dance together and win dance competitions in their youth. Irish jigging was something his father did, and he enjoyed as well. At times Shep could be found jigging in the kitchen at lunch time listening to KEYA radio station's fiddle hour. He liked to watch Polka shows on RFDTV to watch other's dancing and enjoying themselves. He also enjoyed baking bread, making homemade soup, especially his famous bean and ham soup. Shep liked to garden, working outside, farming, time spent making hay for the horses, woodworking, and cruising around St. John and the Turtle Mountains. What he found to be beautiful in nature was here and oftentimes he would say, "I wouldn't want to live anywhere else."

Harold is survived by his sons, Guy (Avis) Garrison of St. John and Jeff (Lola St. Claire) Garrison of St. John; daughters, Merrilee (David) Kempthorne of Boissevain, MB, Patsy (David) Gust of Harwood, Peggy (Karl) Larson of West Fargo, and Kristi Garrison of St. John; 18 grandchildren; 32 great grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; sister, Geraldine "Gerry" Tonsfeldt; sisters-in-law, Pat McCloud, Evie Bryant, and Donna Bryant; numerous nieces and nephews, and other family members.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Hazel Garrison, wife, Mary Garrison, infant son, William, brothers, Marvin and Merle Garrison, sisters, Dorothy Ikel, and Violet Cherry.

There will be a graveside service at the St. John Cemetery on August 16th at 2:00pm. A gathering honoring Shep will take place at 4:00pm at the home of Guy and Avis Garrison.

Elick Funeral Home, Rolla, ND.