Ralph Edward ''Reg'' Garner, president of TW Garner Food Company, died June 26 at the age of 56 after a long illness.

Born Sept. 5, 1952, in Winston-Salem, N.C., Reg always loved and admired the business that his grandfather, father and uncles worked to build. At the age of 16, he started working in various positions throughout the facility during summers at home. After graduation from Washington & Lee University in 1974 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business and a Certificate in Commerce, Reg returned to the company to continue his career. For the next 18 years, he worked in nearly every department, becoming skilled and knowledgeable in each. In 1986, Reg was elected assistant secretary-treasurer of the company, and in 1994, he was elected to the position of president. In 2003, TW Garner Food Company was awarded the Mass Mutual National Family Business of the Year -- Medium Category, and in 2004, the North Carolina Small Business of the Year Award from Business North Carolina Magazine.

His eye for detail and strong financial acumen helped him lead TW Garner Food Company from a small regional food manufacturing company to a national food marketing and manufacturing firm with its well-known national brands, Texas Pete® Sauces and Green Mountain Gringo® Salsas and Tortilla Strips. Reg was a legendary supporter of the food processing industry in the Southeast. He provided his leadership to the Southeastern Food Processors Association (SFPA) as a board member and served as the SFPA's president in 1998-1999. In May of 2009, he was honored with the SFPA's highest honor -- the Bloodworth Distinguished Service Award.

Reg served on the board of the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina from 1997 through 2002 and was the board chair during 2001 and 2002. In addition, he gave his time as a board member of the Associated Artists of Winston-Salem.

Reg is survived by his wife Elizabeth Redwine Garner; three children, Dorothea Garner McCollum (Lewis Matt), Heyward Evans Garner (Tiffany) Elizabeth Marie Garner; his mother Alice Turner Garner and his sister Ann Garner Riddle (Arthur); his aunts, Margaret May Garner and Elizabeth Garner McKinney, as well as numerous cousins. Reg was especially proud of his three beautiful grandsons: Evan, Hayden and Logan.

Memorial services were held June 30 at the Centenary United Methodist Church. Memorials may be made to the Sacred Music Fund at Centenary United Methodist Church: 646 West 5th St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101, or to Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina: 3655 Reed St., Winston-Salem, NC 27107, or to a charity of the donor's choice. Online condolences may be made at www.salemfh.com.