Mr. and Mrs. Garland R. Lively of Spivey Crossing celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Friday, Aug. 26, 2011, at a party in their honor hosted by lifelong friends, Edwin and Betty Cole, at the Cleburne Conference Center. The function was attended by numerous friends and relatives.
Garland Ray Lively, son of Thurman Lively and Myrtle Glenn of Joshua, married his high school sweetheart, Alitia Mae Westerman, daughter of Elmer Westerman and Mable Brown of Cleburne, on Aug. 26, 1961, at East Side Church of Christ in Cleburne, Texas.
After their marriage the couple moved to the N.P. Powell ranch near Meridian, Texas, where Garland was employed. Shortly after, Garland obtained employment with the Santa Fe Railroad and the young couple moved back to Cleburne.
In February 1966, Garland enlisted in the U.S. Army and attended helicopter flight school at Fort Wolters, Texas, Fort Rucker, Ala. Upon graduation from flight school on Feb. 14, 1967, Garland was assigned to the 161 Assault Helicopter Company in Chu Lai Vietnam where he was wounded twice during the Tet Offense of 1968.
After serving as an instructor pilot at Fort Wolters, Texas, Garland returned to Vietnam where he served a second tour of duty with the 478th Heavy Helicopter Company in Da Nang. Following his tours in Vietnam, Garland continued to serve in the U.S. Army in various aviation and command and control positions until his retirement as a major in Tampa Bay, Fla., in February 1986. During their tenure in the Army, the Livelys lived in Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Virginia, Alabama, North Carolina, Florida and Heidelberg, Germany. During the latter portions of this time, Alitia was employed by the Post Exchange and various retail outlets.
After retirement from the military, Garland accepted a position as the European manager of a Department of Defense consulting firm and the Livelys moved back to Heidelberg, Germany, where they had been previously stationed from 1981-84.
During their stay in Germany the Livelys traveled extensively throughout Europe. In September 1993, Garland resigned from his position and the Livelys returned to Texas and retired on their farm on the Brazos River at Spivey Crossing about 10 miles west of Aquilla.
After establishing their new home, Alitia accepted a position with Mikasa retail outlet in Hillsboro, while Garland occupied his time, fishing, improving his property and conducting genealogy research. In 2005, Alitia retired from Mikasa and has become active in various civic and social organizations.
The Livelys have one son, Michael Shawn Lively of Burleson, and one grandson, Marco Patrick Lively of Pennsylvania.
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Lively
Mr. and Mrs. Garland R. Lively of Spivey Crossing celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Friday, Aug. 26, 2011, at a party in their honor hosted by lifelong friends, Edwin and Betty Cole, at the Cleburne Conference Center. The function was attended by numerous friends and relatives.
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