Santa Barbara tennis historian, coach and player Lloyd Garrison passed away last week at the age of 93.
Garrison, a beloved figure in the tennis community, authored the book, “Tennis in Santa Barbara, A History: 1878-1982. In it, he wrote about the standout players and championship teams the town produced.
Garrison himself is part of that history. He guided Santa Barbara High to three straight CIF girls team championships in 1979-81.
Garrison attended Santa Barbara State (the precursor to UCSB) and graduated in 1941.
He served in the Navy during World War II and won six air medals as well as the Distinguished Flying Cross after becoming one of the few PBY (bomber patrol) pilots to shoot down a Japanese fighter.
He also served as air operations officer for Naval Forces Far East during the Korean War.
He is survived by his son Craig and a daughter, Michelann Ortloff.
a life lived fully–R.I.P. Lloyd