Arthur David Garnes

Arthur David Garnes, age, 78, of Alliance, Ohio died peacefully at this home surrounded by his loving family on September 17, 2026. Art was born in Galion, Ohio to Reverend Herbert Spencer Garnes, Jr. and Betty Reese Garnes.

Art graduated from Alliance High School in 1965, Mount Union College in 1969, and earned his Master’s in Education in 1974, and his superintendent’s license and EdS at Kent State University in 1978. He also did post-graduate studies at Youngstown State University and Ashland University. He began his career in 1969 at Carrollton High School, teaching Special Education in grades 9-12. He then moved to State Street Middle School to teach Special Education from 1970-74. Art then became Supervisor of Special Education at the North Canton, Louisville, Massillon and Alliance City Schools from 1974-78. He was Director of Pupil Personnel Services for Alliance from 1979-92, was named Assistant Superintendent of Alliance City Schools from 1992-97, and served as Superintendent of Alliance City Schools until 2004.

Art served in many local leadership roles, including Lay Reader, Sunday School Teacher, Chair of Finance and Property, and as a member of Church Council at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Alliance. He has been a member of the Alliance Rotary Club for over 40 years including a 2 time Rotarian of the Year recipient and The Paul Harris Award and also served as the Chairman for the Rotary Youth Leadership Conference for the past 20 years. He served on the Distinguished AHS Alumni Committee, and has served on a number of non-profit boards such as: The YMCA, Goodwill, Family Counseling and Salvation Army in the Alliance Community. Socially he enjoyed attending Wranglers, Questors, The Republican Club and the revived Men’s Circle Group. Most recently, Art was on the Board of Trustees for The Alliance Senior Center, Board of Trustees and past President of the Portage Summit Field and Stream Club. He was also a Certified Hunter Education Instructor for the State of Ohio. Having worked in Glamorgan Castle for most of his career, he was an avid supporter and President of The Castle Crusaders Board of Directors for many years. He was elected in 2016 as President of Alliance City Council until his recent resignation due to his health issues.

Art was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt on the Rice Family Farm in Carrollton, Ohio and fish in Nakina, Canada, his favorite place to be. People who knew Art well were beneficiaries of his delicious cooking of (pretzel) fish and other dishes. Art and Cindy spent many summers in Plum Island, Massachusetts visiting family and friends and deep sea fishing in Newburyport. Art loved to travel with Cindy to various US National Parks, hiking and kayaking. Above all, Art loved spending time with his family and friends and attending his grandchildren's sporting events. He was a lifelong supporter of Alliance City Schools Athletic, Academic and Musical Programs.

Arthur was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Herbert Spencer Garnes, Jr and Betty Reese Garnes and sister-in-law, Debbie Garnes.

He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Cindy; daughters, Sara (Mike) Picone, Rachel (Brian) Baker; and grandchildren Michael (Kate) Picone, Domenic Picone and Samuel, Reese and Molly Hays. Art is also survived by his brothers, Rev. Herbert Spencer Garnes, III of Canton, Ohio and William (Bill) and Lisa Garnes of Prescott, Arizona. Herbert (Bert) Spencer Garnes IV and wife, Kris of Atlanta, Georgia as well as many extended family members in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Florida.

Many thanks to Elara Hospice Nurses and Aides for their loving care during this journey.

Visitation will be held at St. Paul's Lutheran Church on Friday, October 9th from 5:00-8:00 p.m. and on Saturday, October 10th from 3:00-4:00 p.m.

A funeral service will be held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church on Saturday, October 10, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Castle Crusaders (supporting Glamorgan Castle). Address: P.O. Box 3103. Alliance, Ohio 44601 or The Art & Cindy Garnes Scholarship Foundation. Address: AHS Foundation P.O. Box 3123 Alliance, Ohio 44601 or St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. Address: 3295 South Union Ave. Alliance, Ohio 44601.