Garland Ferris Ham

Aurora ~ Garland Ferris Ham, 84, of Aurora, a retired organizer for United Auto Workers went to be with his Lord, Wednesday, February 4, 2015 in Bedford, Texas.

Graveside services were private at Aurora Cemetery.

Garland was born February 28, 1930 to James Arlander and Bertie (Crum) Ham in Van, Texas. He married Lois McGoodwin on June 1, 1949 in Rhome, Texas. They have been married for 65 years. Garland also served his country in the United States Navy.

Garland was a lifelong democrat. He was involved in politics at an early age. He was one of the very first employees of General Motors in Arlington. His badge number is 12. He was one of the two prime-in plant movers behind the organizing of the Arlington B-O-P (General Motors) employees. Garland urged the employees to attend the meeting the United Auto Workers had arranged for the workers. After 2 months of hard work with meetings and leaflets the hard work paid off. The results were 804 for and only 21 against. An election was held for executive officers on March 30, 1954. Garland Ham was sworn in as the first President of Local Union 276. He had just turned 24 years old. Today, he is still known as the very first President of Local 276 and still known as the youngest ever elected to the office of President of Local Union 276. Years later he was still involved with the Union and still was asked advise from Presidents elected after him. He later became an International Rep for the UAW out of Detroit as a Union organizer.

At the time of his death he was retired from General Motors and the International Union.

Left behind to cherish his memory is his wife, Lois Ham of Aurora; daughters, Sandra Scruggs and husband Tommy of Bedford, and Garlene Weaver and husband Tommy of Aurora; 4 grandchildren, Johnathan Weaver and wife Danelle, Adrienne Weaver and husband Daniel Bradford, Garrett Scruggs, and Taylor Scruggs; 3 great grandchildren, Payton Weaver, Coy Bradford, and Eli Bradford; and a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Herbert Ham.

Memorials may be made to the Newark or Rhome Fire Departments.

Coker-Hawkins Funeral Home ~ Decatur, Texas ~ 940-627-5959