Valerie Garton
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Valerie Garton died at her home on June 29th 2008, after a long battle with cancer. Valerie was 46. She is survived by her husband of 24 years, Kevin Wilson, her daughter, Reed Wilson, her parents Stanley and Joyce Garton, and her brothers, Darryl and Scott Garton.
Val grew up in Centralia and graduated from Centralia High School. She received a bachelors degree in English education and a masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Missouri.
Valerie was an educator for Columbia Public Schools beginning her teaching career in 1987 as a language arts teacher at Oakland Junior High School. She was later promoted to English department chair at Oakland and then as the Secondary Language Arts Coordinator in 1999. In 2003, she became the K-12 Language Arts Coordinator for the Columbia Public School district. In addition, Valerie was an adjunct professor in the department of Curriculum and Instructions at the University of Missouri for several years.
Valerie was an avid reader of educational research and devoted herself to the craft of teaching. She also loved to read poetry and was a prolific writer. She was a mentor and role model for many teachers in the district. Her fairness brought unity to a school district of thirty buildings, hundreds of teachers, thousands of children. Yet, in that fairness, she never forgot the importance of the individual. As the K-12 Language Arts Coordinator, Valerie implemented a district-wide curriculum so that the individual needs of all students could be met. When it was time to design the word study curriculum for elementary students, Val studied the research on how a child learns to put letters and sounds together to make words. She guided Columbia teachers through that research and the process of developing the current word study program. Val received accolades for this approach of teaching spelling from the National Organization of Speech-Language Pathologist and from other school districts as far away as Boston. During her career, Val also worked with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in the development of model curriculum for language arts. In 2006, Valerie received an award by the International Reading Association for Exemplary Contribution to Literacy Instruction for the state of Missouri. She also received the Ray Lewis Columbia Fund for Academic Excellence for Outstanding Contributor in a Specialized Area in 2008.
Val’s wisdom went beyond her expertise of language arts and curriculum design. It exceeded her understanding of what good teaching was, what children needed in order to learn best, and what the budget could be stretched to buy. She was not only wise about learning, but wise about life. Her unbreakable spirit guided all who knew her to an understanding of living and living life to its fullest. Her life was an inspiration that taught us about the lessons of life, and therefore, made us wiser about ourselves and the world in which we live.
Even though Val enjoyed traveling far and wide with her family and friends, she particularly found peace and solace at her home, 40 acres of woods and pasture outside of town. She loved to take walks with her daughter, Reed, work on the landscape with her husband, Kevin, and watch the numerous animals that visited her land. She loved her dogs, the koi in her pond, and the hummingbirds that came to feed.
Her friends will remember her as selfless. She demanded nothing from life other than the opportunity to give of herself to others.
Val’s family and friend would like to personally thank Missouri Cancer Associates, Dr. Mark Vellek, Dr. Mark Bryer, their nurses, especially Gaye, Julie, Rhonda, Gracie, and Jim; Dr. Charles Bondurant; and Missouri River Home Health and Hospice for their loving care.
Services and barbeque will be held on the Garton-Wilson property at 3650 McGee Rd. on July 12th at 11:00 A.M. Dress casually; bring a folding chair and memories.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Central Missouri Humane Society.
We didn’t know Valerie, but we prayed for her often. We love Stan and Joyce and our hearts go out to all Valerie’s family at this time of loss. May God comfort all of you.
Joe and Sharon Ezell
Val was an inspiration to anyone who knew her. She was a shining light in Columbia Public Schools and her work will be appreciated for many many years to come. What a blessing it was to know her. Peace be with your family.
Val was a wonderful educator but more importantly she was a wonderful person. Her soft mannered guidance will definitely be missed by all in the education field. I was lucky enough to share an office space with Val at Oakland. She was always willing to give advice and to help out. She will be dearly missed.
Ms. Garton was my English teacher in junior high. I remember reading the classics with her. She was funny, engaging and always pushing us to be better. She was one of the teachers that I always made sure to visit when I made it back to OJHS. She taught me to love reading—a hobby that I still enjoy today. Even though it’s been years since I’ve seen her and more than 5 years since I’ve lived in Columbia (I live in Alaska now), I still read the newspaper and I was so saddened to see that she had passed. She will be greatly missed—every teacher should strive to have the qualities that she had.
Ms. Garton was also my English teacher, 1993-1994. She inspired our class to find our true selves, even as young teenagers.
I’ve written much about her over the years, for various applications and examples of inspirational people. Her wire-rim glasses and her vibrant smile are forever engrained in my mind.
She inspired me to be an English teacher, to share love of life through communication. Her influence on society will live on for generations.
I remember Val from OJHS and I then had her as a professor at for a couple of my courses at MU. She was a tough teacher, but pushed us because she knew that we could do it and that we had more in us and I thoroughly enjoyed having her as a teacher. I also felt privileged that she trusted me enough to let me babysit Reed when she was really little (and take her to McDonald’s to get her a snack!). Val was passionate about education as well as life and she will be truly missed.
I’ve been blessed to have been Val’s secretary for a little over two years. I remember when I started at CPS and people would ask me about my new job and all I would talk about is the two amazing bosses I had. Val had this wonderful confidence in me that I will never forget! I will always remember her great smile and the sound of her bracelets clanking together on her wrist…we always heard her coming down the hall:)She was and always will be a inspiration to me. My prayers are with you Stan, Joyce, Kevin, and Reed.
Val helped literacy in our school district become a national example of outstanding instruction. As a literacy coach, I found Val to be a daily inspiration and blessing in my life. She is missed and her memory will guide my work. My love and prayers are with Kevin, Reed, and her family. May each of us embrace life with the passion that Val modeled for us daily.
I am so very sorry for your loss; I pray God will comfort you often with memories of laughter and good times.
We would like to express our sincere condolences.
Valerie was a beautiful person.
Craig,Nancy, Michael & Spencer Shores
I met Val first when she was my son’s English teacher at Oakland Junior High. A few years later I had the privilege of working with Val as an ELL teacher. Val was always so kind and friendly to everyone. Her smile could light up a room. I will miss her dearly.
Val was an English colleague at Oakland. Two favorite memories: one day we each wore a BIG sign with our name on it because others constantly confused us; and we performed a dance routine on stage to the theme from Rocky Horror Picture Show (in wild neon-colored attire no less) for the OJHS students at their fall partydance. We were either really good (or awful) as they requested two encores! Our teaching collations were successful because we worked hard AND laughed at our mistakes. Life was fun with Val — she will be missed.
I’ve known the Garton family for over 48 years and my deepest sympathy to Joyce and Stan and the boys. God has another angel . Our prayers are with you. Carol
Val was one person that I will never forget. I first met her when she was my English teacher at Oakland in 7th grade. As a teacher she had the qualities that pushed young teenage kids to expect more out of themselves. Her bubbly personality could light up a room. Then I had the pleasure of working with her as a literacy coach later in my life. She too was terrific at that job. She could reach a group of people in ways that others just can’t. In her final days she gave me a gift that will forever be etched in my life, letting me bring my daughter out to meet her. Kevin and Reed, my heart goes out to you. Please know if you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to call upon us.
Val was my mentor when I was a teaching fellow, and she always had a new question for me, every day, many of which I couldn’t answer (but every one of them made me think and reflect!). I used to take Reed for walks when she was a newborn during my conference hour, and although Reed doesn’t remember this, she used to bring me solace in hectic days.
I remember when she called me to let me know about her medical condition, and she was so very positive. She said, “If you’re a praying girl, I’d love some prayers.” I prayed for her all the time and knew that her greatest gift, above teaching strategies, patience and laughter was her ability to make us all stronger knowing how she held her head up high, even on the most painful of days.
Love you, Val.
Val has a special place in my heart because she was my cooperating teacher at Oakeland Jr. High in 1993. I went from student teaching 3rd graders, to student teaching her class of 9th graders! It was quite a culture shock! But I won’t forget her soft spoken voice, and her words of encouragement while I worked side by side with her. She gave me lots of great ideas, and quietly corrected my grammar (which I am still aware of today!) when we discussed lesson planning. She even asked for me to sub for her while I completed my 4 weeks of student teaching. Her students loved her, and I was amazed at how quickly I got to know her while with her for such a short time. I learned a lot from her in that time period and respected her for her talents. I also remember how the other students at my college were so envious of whom I had been assigned to for my student teaching, “wow, you get to student teach with the guru of language arts!” Those words were not an exaggeration! Val truly was a master of her craft, and I am a richer person for having known her. My sincere thoughts are with Val, Kevin, Reed, and her extended family.