Wayne Goff Garlock Jr.; L.A. Parks Ranger
Wayne Goff Garlock Jr. of Simi Valley, a onetime competitive barrel racer who rode with the Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Department’s mounted rangers, died Sunday in a Reseda care center. He was 53.
“We loved to travel and hit 28 states in our 33 years together,” said Garlock’s wife, Hilde.
One of their most memorable trips was to Hawaii. “I was a little skittish on water, but he guided me. The most glorious thing is when we went SCUBA diving and he reached out and handed me a live starfish. That was absolutely beautiful,” his wife said.
Garlock, who was born in Fullerton on Jan. 8, 1943, was raised in West Los Angeles. He enjoyed caring for ill animals and riding horses. He spent a short time in his teens as a competitive barrel racer.
He worked for the recreation department for 28 years, riding with the park rangers at Griffith Park for five years.
In addition to his wife, Garlock is survived by his parents, Wayne and Frances Garlock of Woodland Hills; sons Wayne III of Baraboo, Wis., and Shawn of Simi Valley; two sisters, and one niece.
Services were held Wednesday at Canoga Park Lutheran Church. Interment was in Oakwood Memorial Park, Chatsworth.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
