Jimmy W. Garrett

Jimmy Wayne “Jim” Garrett died peacefully at home on Christmas Eve with his loving family surrounding him. In typical Jim Garrett style, it was exactly as he desired. Jim was born on July 17, 1932 in Forney, Texas to Myrtle Marie Knight and Sterling George “Buddy” Garrett. His family of one brother and three sisters (now all deceased) lived humbly on their parents’ cotton farm outside of Forney. Jim liked to say that picking cotton was the hardest work he’d ever done. He attended various country schools but dropped out in eighth grade to be of more help on the family farm. It was a decision he’d soon regret. A year and a half later, he returned to eighth grade and loved to joke about being taller than the principal. He joined the Forney Jack Rabbits football team and found quick success on the field. His love for football and passion for education guided his career for the rest of his life. The Forney community was a vital part of his young life. So he could play high school football and attend school, he lived with various friends and family members around town. He would often shake his head in dismay and thankfully say the town of Forney raised him.

After a brief stint playing for Paris Junior College, he transferred to Arlington State College in 1952 to play football for his life-long mentor, Chena Gilstrap. Duty called so left college, joined the army, and served in the Korean War. During the war, he married the love of his life and high school sweetheart, Rebecca Jean Youngblood on December 27, 1953. Jim often referred to that as the best decision of his life.

After the war, Jim and Becky returned to Arlington in 1955 with a baby in tow. They lived in “Rebel Village” on campus and Jim continued to play football. His athletic abilities on the field were noticed. He was extremely popular on campus and was elected “King of the Campus” at ASC. He knew Arlington was home. Jim finished his education and graduate school at East Texas State University (Texas A&M Commerce) and returned his young family back to Arlington in 1958 to teach and coach at the newly built Carter Junior High. After one year, Mayfield Workman recruited Jim to coach football at Arlington High School, but that was short-lived. When Chena Gilstrap asked Jim to become part of the ASC coaching staff, now The University of Texas at Arlington, in 1961, a dream came true. He spent the next thirty-two years of his life coaching, teaching, managing sports facilities, and eventually creating the Recreational Sports Department. He jokingly referred to himself as the “recess director.” Other than his family, Jim loved nothing more than Arlington and UTA. His impact is still seen on campus today. He became one of the university’s greatest promoters and was known for his outstanding recruiting abilities and organizers for campus events. He retired in 1992 and was presented a key to the city by Mayor Richard Greene. In addition, Jim served on numerous boards and organizations: The Arlington YMCA, The Boys’ Club, Lions’ Club, Arlington Parks and Recreation Board, Texas Senior Games, and the Texas Governor’s Commission for Physical Fitness. He proudly hosted the Texas Senior Games, the NIRSA National convention, and the Special Olympics at UTA. He became an active part of the Bobby Bragan Foundation and hosted many charity golf tournaments for scholarships. He was inducted into the UTA Hall of Honor of Distinguished Alumni Association in 1999.

During his retirement years, Jim and Becky traveled, spent time playing with his adored grandchildren, gardened (he called his therapy) read continuously, and pursing his second passion, golf. He continued to be an avid sports fan and an ambassador for UTA. He proudly served on the committee to get the citizens of Arlington to build the Ballpark in Arlington for his beloved Texas Rangers. He and Becky never missed watching a game.

Jim was known for his high energy, quick sense of humor, and a compassion to help others. His stories were endless and he relished sharing them with many organized reunions, coffee groups, breakfasts, dinners, and as an invited guest speaker for various organizations. He simply loved people and never failed to see the potential and goodness in anyone he met. Stories of his helping others are endless. He and Becky were members of First Baptist Arlington for over sixty-years and he frequently attributed all of his success to God. Jim will be missed terribly by many, many friends, neighbors, and acquaitances. He is survived by his wife of sixty-two years, Becky, his son Randy Garrett and wife Ana of Colleyville, his daughter Lisa Sledge of Arlington, and son Rusty Garrett and wife Diane of Colleyville. He was “Pa” to his six grandchildren, Chelsea Salomone of Southlake, John Garrett Sledge of Fort Worth, Layne Garrett of Hurst, Reece Garrett of Grapevine, Brittany Bonneville of Fort Worth and Jimmy Wayne Garrett II of Colleyville. One of his greatest joys was to see the birth of his three great-grandsons. In addition, he is survived by many nieces and nephews. A celebration of his life will be 10:00 Tuesday, December 29, at First Baptist Church Arlington with visitation Monday evening 5-8, Moore and Son’s Funeral Home, Bowen and I-20, A private family burial will follow Wednesday.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be sent to the UTA Maverick Scholarship Fund in memory of Jim Garrett.