BUFFALO — Family and friends of a longtime local sports figure are banding together to help him financially as he battles cancer.

Ronald “Goober” Garner, a baseball player who was named to the Union High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006, is undergoing chemotherapy and radiation as he battles rectal cancer. Surgery is scheduled for a later date and then Garner will undergo additional treatments.

The diagnosis comes at a particularly bad time. Garner, 57, is retired after 33 years with Carlisle Finishing. He has been laid off from his job at Con Tec and is working only part time at Food Lion.

“He loves everybody,” said Garner’s stepdaughter, Kelly Tucker. “There aren’t many people you meet who don’t know him.”

Several fund-raisers are planned in the coming weeks. Family members are selling Krispy Kreme donuts for $4.50 a dozen with the proceeds going to Garner. Orders will be taken through Wednesday. Those wanting to place an order may call Mrs. Tucker at 426-7623 or Sherri Kidd at 429-9123.

A car wash will be held Aug. 8 beginning at 9 a.m. at Union County Stadium. Donations will be accepted.

On Aug. 22, a softball tournament will be held at the South Hills Complex. Anyone wanting more information or wanting to enter a team may call Bobby Tucker at 426-7754..

Mrs. Tucker said her stepfather has been called “Goober” so long most people don’t even know his real name. Initially the nickname “Peanut” was pinned on him when he was a little boy.

“As he got bigger everyone started calling him Goober,” Mrs. Tucker said with a laugh.

Garner and his wife, Sandy, have two additional children, Clay Garner and Michael Erwin.

A standout baseball player at Union High, Garner went on to play at Newberry College. He coached American Legion Baseball and serves as a church league umpire.

He’s a really good man of God who loves his grandchildren,” Mrs. Tucker said. “He is a wonderful person who would do anything for anybody. We thank everybody who has been praying for him and we hope everyone will continue to pray for him.”

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(Get well cards to Garner may be mailed to 306 Drugstore St., Buffalo, 29321.)