- Date Of Birth: February 8, 1931
- Date Of Death: May 20, 2011
- State: Florida
While surrounded by his loving family, Garland Wallace “GW” Toomer, 80, was called peacefully home to our Lord on Frday evening, 20 May, 2011. GW was born on 8, February, 1931, in Denton, TX to Boss and Ethel Toomer. He joined the US Navy in 1948 at the age of 17 as a machinist mate and later transitioned into his career profession; Deep Sea Diver. ON 29 August, 1953, while stationed in San Diego, CA, GW married the love of his life, Miss Jacqueline (Jackie) Ann Hovely of Brawley, CA. During his 23 year Naval Career, GW deployed aboard eight different Navy Ships which required his new “Navy Wife” Jackie, to carry a large share in raising their eight children. GW’s duty stations included Norfolk, VA; San Diego, CA; Montgomery, AL; and Key West, FL. Key West was a central duty station for the Toomers where GW’s considerable diving skills were not only important to the Navy but were routinely deployed to feed the family. He was so adept at catching lobster that his children were once known to comment “oh no Mom, not lobster again tonight!” GW gained his office commission in the Navy in 1960.
