OBITUARY 1999

Al Garner, 55

ss. -- Funeral services were held recently for Al Garner, vice president of produce at Jitney-Jungle Stores of America here. Garner died of a heart attack May 11 at the age of 55.

Garner, who is survived by his wife, Beth, and two daughters, Rhonda and Tanya, spent more than 35 years in the retail grocery business. Besides Jitney-Jungle, he held executive-level positions at Farm Fresh, Fleming Cos. and Kroger Co. as well as East Coast Food Brokerage, Charlotte, N.C.

Garner was a member of the board of directors at the United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association, Alexandria, Va. He participated in two panel discussions during the organization's annual convention in February, including one on the debate over returnable plastic containers in the produce department.

"Al was a man of intelligence and integrity who gave unselfishly of his time and energy in the development of the people that looked to him for leadership and guidance," said Mike Julian, chief executive officer of Jitney-Jungle. "He formed a genuine connection and this was Garner's most precious asset."