John Pierre Garde passed away peacefully on April 24, 2024, in Fayetteville, Georgia, from complications of Parkinson’s Disease.
John was diagnosed with the condition at just 39 years of age but chose to live his life to the fullest even while battling a degenerative and painful illness. In fact, he continued to enjoy his favorite hobbies of golf and fishing for more than a decade after his diagnosis.
John was born in Thousand Oaks, California on February 19, 1969, to Joy and Jere Garde and was the youngest of the three “Garde Boys.” The family lived in California for several years before moving to Chicago, then Jacksonville, Florida; Upper Saddle River, New Jersey and finally Peachtree City, Ga, where the family settled and opened Carriage House Imports (later Mercedes Benz of South Atlanta) in nearby south Fulton County. John spent his professional life at the family business alongside his father and brother Greg.
It was during his time working at the car dealership that John met his future wife, Selena. At just 20 years old the two fell in love and later married. Selena was by all accounts the love of John’s too short life. The two have a son, Andrew Garde of Peachtree City, Ga, who works at Planterra Golf Club, a career which may be considered the “other family business.”
When not at work, John could usually be found at the golf course. John loved the game and all that went with it. One could say John was made both for and by the game of golf. A gifted junior golfer who continued to work at his game throughout his life, he was a fixture at the golf clubs of Peachtree City.
John was well known for his mischievous grin and infectious sense of humor. Very few people could tell a story as well as John and he’d be the first to tell you he never let facts get in the way of a good yarn. His life was full of fun, adventure, and often unbelievable, yet true stories. From playing at Augusta National to giving golf lessons to famous actors and athletes, John packed an enormous amount of life into his 55 years.
Despite his hardships, John was the first to say he was blessed to have gotten to live the life he had. His was a light that shined bright but was sadly snuffed out too quickly.
John is survived by his wife Selena, son Andrew, brothers Greg and Glenn Garde as well as his nephew Joey, nieces Grace, Shelby and Sydney Garde, cousins, aunts, and uncles and so many friends who loved and will miss his singular charm and outrageous sense of humor.
The family is especially grateful to the staff at Hope Center Memory Care in Fayetteville, Ga., for their loving care of John in the last year of his life.
A celebration of John’s life is planned for June. For those wishing to honor his memory, the family asks that donations be made to The Parkinson’s Foundation.
