Garland Kent Pike, 80, died Tuesday, December 23, 2014, at San Joaquin Hospital in Bakersfield following a long illness. He leaves his wife of 58 years, Shirleie (Rainwater) Pike; his daughter, Tamera Bergstrasser and her husband, Mark; his daughter, Tracey Beach and her husband, Marty; 4 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren; many close relatives and friends. Born in Alex, Oklahoma on June 6, 1934, Mr. Pike is the son of Maurice Melford and Donna Marjorie Pike. He lived the majority of his adult life in Bakersfield. After graduating from Strathmore High School in 1953, Mr. Pike enlisted in the United States Army in 1954, where he was a member of the Signal Corp. He was honorably discharged in 1957 as a Specialist V. He met his wife, Shirleie Rainwater, at church and they were married in 1956 in Coalinga, CA. During their life together, they lived in New Mexico, Visalia, Fresno, Coalinga, and Bakersfield. After serving with the Army, Mr. Pike was employed as a journeyman glazier from 1957 to 1994 when he retired. He worked at various glass shops in California. Mr. Pike enjoyed hunting, fishing, football, traveling, and he loved spending time with his family. Mr. Pike was a member of First Missionary Baptist Church of Bakersfield. He was a faithful member of God's assembly all of his life, and he loved spending time with God's people. Graveside services will be held Friday, January 2, 2014, at 1:15 p.m., at Bakersfield National Cemetery, 30338 East Bear Mountain Boulevard, Arvin, California. Cole Howard, Mr. Pike's grandson, will officiate the service and pallbearers will be the United States Army Honor Guard. Honorary pallbearers will be Marty Beach, Mark Bergstrasser, David Sandoval, Cole Howard, Martin Bergstrasser, and Lawrence Bergstrasser. A memorial service will be held after graveside services at First Missionary Baptist Church of Bakersfield, 1604 Southgate Drive, Bakersfield, CA 93304. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the National Rifle Association, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, Virginia 22030. Mr. Pike is predeceased by his parents, Maurice Melford in 1978; Donna Marjorie in 1996; sister, Lavesta McGregor in 1982; grandson, Sean Bergstrasser in 2011. Garland was respected, admired, and loved by his family above all. He was one of a kind and we will miss him dearly. Our hope is in God; therefore, we know we will all be together again one day in Heaven.