Leonard Sherman Garren (affectionally known as DadDad), passed away peacefully April 10, 2021 in Rockwall, Texas at the age of 94 with family by his side. Born on October 22, 1926 to Columbus Leonard Garren and Helen Francis (Sawyer) Garren in Dallas Texas.
On February 14, 1947 he married the love of his life, Daphene Jones and they just celebrated their 74th wedding anniversary this year on Valentine’s Day.
He is survived by his wife Daphene, his daughter, Connie Estill and husband Kenneth, son, Rick Garren and wife Shirley and son Randy Garren. 3 granddaughters – Tracie Estill and husband Charles, Kellie Burgess and husband Jim and Summer Mays and husband Jordan. 7 great grandchildren – Bailey and Nick Archer, Jack and Ben Burgess and Ryleigh, Ruby and Harper Mays. He is also survived by many in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He served his country in the US Navy joining at the early age of 17. He joined days after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He said he wanted to fight – The Navy obliged him. He served on the destroyer – Albert W. Grant which took heavy fire from the enemy battleships and kamikaze pilots in the Battle of Layte Gulf. The Albert W. Grant received 7 battle stars and a Navy commendation for the Battle of Surigao Strait and the Battle of Layte Gulf. The ribbon and stars are on his dress blues. He didn’t speak of the war for years. Later in life he was very proud of his service, but still never recounted the horrors of war that he and so many others experienced.
He retired from AT&T after over 40 years of service. He was a Mason and a Deacon in the Baptist church for many years. He loved reading, golf, yard work and his garden where he loved growing tomatoes and jalapenos. But mostly he loved spending time with his family.
Floating out there somewhere is a karaoke video of dad and Kenneth singing “White Lightening”. Dad has it hidden well because we haven’t found it yet.
During dad’s last minutes as we told him everyone loved him and was praying for him Rick told him when he got to heaven to pick us all out a good corner lot. Knowing DadDad, he is mowing the grass right now and planting tomatoes and peppers for all of us for when we join him.
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