Born Again: The Garner Family's Journey

Danny Garner is a patient at GIRMC receiving care for colon cancer, which has metastasized to his liver and lungs. He has been surrounded by his family during this time. Together, they wanted to see him fulfill his wish to be born again through baptism.

Danny was baptized at age 7 at First Christian Church in Burwell, Nebraska. His family relocated to Osmond, Nebraska where Danny became an all-conference quarterback in high school. Danny's father, Dan Garner told us that he was known as “Gunner” to his friends on the field. They knew if Danny was throwing the ball-with his muscular stature--they needed to be ready to grab the ball thrown with strength and precision.

Danny was brought to GIRMC on the evening of September 15th. While receiving care in the Emergency Department, his daughter Morgan asked him if it was still his desire to be baptized. As Danny explained to ministers from Third City Christian Church, he has always been a believer, but he didn’t feel he had fully embraced and acted upon his Christian life. While he was pleased to have made that important turn in his life, his declining health and mobility did not allow him the opportunity to be baptized by immersion in the pool that is a part of the tradition of Third City Christian Church.

Although Danny isn’t able to make the traditional public confession to his personal commitment to Christ inside Third City’s walls, retired minister Scott Jones and student minister Josh Sikes collaborated with nursing staff from Grand Island Regional Medical Center physical therapists from Live Well Physical Therapy to bring this important opportunity to him in the hospital.

For this special moment, Danny was surrounded by his loving family. His wife Tami, son and daughter-in-law Judd and Baylee Garner, daughter and son-in-law Morgan and Aaron Armstrong. The family shared their words of gratitude for his leadership in the family, by making his declaration of faith a priority in his last days. His father Dan was also present and expressed a love for his son, “since the moment he laid eyes upon him.”

The Garner family wishes to extend gratitude to staff at Grand Island Regional Medical Center including nurses, nutrition services and environmental services for the compassionate care he has received through many hospitalizations in the past two years. Additionally, they are grateful for the collaboration between nurses, physical therapists and ministers who worked together to provide a meaningful baptism for the Garner family in a safe environment.

Grand Island Regional Medical Center extends appreciation to Danny, for sharing his experience with the community and leaving a lasting legacy of his faith and kindness. The light and joy shown on your face on this special day will live in our hearts for years to come.