Phil Garrett

Memorial services for Phillip Clifton Garrett, 63, of Canton will be held at Eubank Funeral Home on Wednesday, December 20, 2017. The family will be receiving friends at 6:30 pm with services to follow at 7:30.Interment will be private.

Phil passed away peacefully at home in his cattle ranch on December 9, 2017. He was born in Nueces County, Texas on March 10, 1954 to Thomas Clifton Garrett and Virginia Dee Custer Garrett. He was not only a son, brother, husband and ag teacher, but a true friend to all who knew and loved him. Phil never met a stranger. He dedicated his life to his ag students who in turn gave him so much joy.

Phil graduated from Grapevine High School in 1972. He then enlisted in the U.S. Army and became a Veterinary Specialist at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C. He was honorably discharged and enrolled at Tarleton State University in the fall of 1975 to begin his studies in Agricultural Education. There he met his wife, Julie, in the fall of 1977 as they both were members of the rodeo team. They were married in Stephenville, Texas on January 5, 1980. They completed their college degrees at Tarleton; Phil earning his B.S. in 1980 and his M.S.T. in 1982.

Phil excelled at whatever endeavor he put his mind to and sacrificed his body to get the job done. He had a “no-quit” attitude that carried on until his death when God chose to call this cowboy home. He was a jack-of-all-trades: electrician, welder, cattle fitter, rancher, carpenter, leather craftsman, plumber, and some called him a living, breathing Swiss army knife. If he didn’t know how to do something, he would sure enough learn how! He had that Cowboy Try!

Phil was a Christian and Southern Baptist by faith. He loved the Lord and had a sparkle that was from Heaven above! His passion was contagious along with his wit and unending Wild West stories.

Phil is preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Virginia Garrett; maternal grandparents, Rutledge and Viola Custer; paternal grandparents, Clifton and Fannie Mae Garrett; in laws, Jim and Emily Frederick, brother-in-law, Jimmy Frederick.

He is survived by his wife of almost 38 years, Julie Frederick Garrett, of Canton; brother, Randy Garrett and wife, Jeantte, of Boyd; nephew Justin Garrett and wife, Cyrstal; great-nieces Cherish, Faith and Hope of Boyd, niece Tami Jo Barton and husband Aaron; great nieces Ali Jo and Hannah, of Grandbury; sister-in-law Charlotte Frederick of Canton; nephews, Russell Page of Athens, Ryan and wife Blair; great-nieces Blake and Bryce of Chandler; sister-in-law Jennifer Frederick of Albuquerque, NM; several cousins and other precious family members and friends.

Phil’s legacy will live on in the many students’ lives that he touched.

Special thanks go to nurses Heather Matthews and Mary Jett of Asana Hospice who became family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the American Cancer Society, Texas FFA Foundation, a humane society in your area or a charity choice.