During the Depression when his father lost his job and the family home, They moved to central Oklahoma, Just outside Oklahoma City where his Dad believed life would be better,  Instead they encountered the Dust Bowl.

Three years later the Garrison's packed up and returned to New Jersey.

Merv eventually joined the Navy and served in the Pacific during World War 2.

In 1964 Merv and his brother Ray built Garrison's Motel on Long Beach Island.

During the summer of 1971, The year he retired from Exxon after 31 years and 2 years after his first wife Margie died of a brain hemorrhage at the age of 48, Met Theresa who was a guest at the motel.

They were together ever since.