Tom Garrison | Obit
Published February 7, 2026
Tom Garrison
January 23, 2026- February 13, 1942
Longtime Islander Tom Garrison Died Peacefully at 83
Tom Garrison, a descendant of Mercer Island’s first family settlers, passed away peacefully on January 23, 2026, from congestive heart failure. He was 83.
Tom grew up on the east side of Mercer Island at Appleton Estate Farms with his parents, Dorothy and Harry Garrison, and his three siblings, David, Jim, and Ann. He attended Mercer Island schools, beginning at the old East Seattle Grade School, and graduated in 1960 from the newly opened Mercer Island High School.
After earning a master’s degree in education from the University of Washington, Tom returned to Mercer Island, where he taught mathematics and held various coaching positions at the high school for more than 30 years. Over the course of his career, he taught and coached approximately 5,000 students.
An accomplished athlete, Tom was a state champion swimmer, winning the men’s butterfly title in high school. He later coached swimming, and one of his athletes advanced to the Olympic trials. He also played center on the high school football team. Tennis became another lifelong passion—and led to meeting his future wife, Pat. The two shared a love of the sport and were married for 45 years.
In addition to teaching, Tom worked at the Mercer Island Beach Club and later managed the Mercer Island Country Club. He continued playing tennis with local seniors until health challenges prevented him from doing so. Tom was also an avid reader, particularly of science fiction, and enjoyed classical music throughout his life.
Tom is survived by his wife, Pat, who resides at Island House on Mercer Island; two stepchildren, Jeff Schwartz of Sarasota, Florida, and Julien Andres of Crete, Greece; his daughter-in-law, Katharine; and two grandchildren, Olivia and Lex. He is also survived by two of his siblings, Jim Garrison of St. Augustine, Florida, and Ann Garrison of Waynesboro, Virginia.
A tennis scholarship for Mercer Island High School students will be awarded in Tom’s honor.