1922-2018
Harold Herbert Garrett, 96, passed away peacefully at his home in Plano on May 31, 2018. He was born April 26, 1922 in Forney, Texas to George Washington Garrett and Annie Bedford Garrett. He grew up enjoying his relationship with his eight brothers and sisters on the family farm between Mesquite and Forney, Texas. He was a heroic and very loving person, and all that knew him were greatly blessed by his presence. In his youth he saved his nephew from death entering a burning farmhouse that was destroyed. He never met a stranger and his “hello” hugs were legendary. Harold was a devoted husband and loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was a Man of God who dedicated his life and his time to the Lord.
Harold graduated from Mesquite High School where he was a cheerleader and it was there that he met the love of his life, Frances LaJoy McCreight. They were married May 22, 1943 shortly after he had joined the U. S. Navy serving in World War II. He and his wife LaJoy celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary this May. Harold remained on active duty with the Navy providing 20 years of service as an aviation machinist. He retired from the Dallas Naval Air Station in 1962. All his life he loved to repair things mechanical in nature. Following his retirement from the military, he established ownership of Dallas Exterminating Company providing pest control services to the Dallas- Fort Worth area and the North Texas Region. After selling Dallas Exterminating Company, he started and sold two other pest control companies before finally retiring in 1986. He was president of the Dallas Pest Control Association and the Texas Pest Control Association and was a Director of the National Pest Control Association. He was also a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason and member of Oak Cliff Masonic Lodge 705.
Harold was active in his church and its activities most of his adult life. He was ordained as a deacon at Buckner Terrace Baptist Church in Dallas and subsequently served as a deacon at Prairie Creek Baptist Church in Plano for many years. His favorite music was Christian hymns, particularly the Gaithers. He loved to sing himself and would lead the singing in his Sunday School Class. In addition to praising his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ he took great joy and pride in raising his only child and daughter, Sondra and being with his three grandsons and their wives and his seven great-grandchildren.
Harold is preceded in death by his parents George Washington Garrett and Annie Bedford Garrett and two infant daughters Carolyn Sue Garrett and Sharon Gayle Garrett. Also predeceasing him were his brothers Ernest Garrett, G.W. Garrett, Lewis Garrett and sisters Ruth Geneva Garrett, Mildred Behrens Rabalais, Marion Donnie Garrett, Pansy Garrett Park and Audra Garrett Jorns. He is survived by his wife LaJoy McCreight Garrett, his daughter Sondra Garrett Skaggs and husband Ronald Lloyd Skaggs his grandsons David Alan Skaggs and wife Kimberly Hamic Skaggs, Stephen Brian Skaggs, Jeffrey Garrett Skaggs and wife Katherine Bowers Skaggs, his great grandsons Kyle David Skaggs, Mark Alan Skaggs, Chase Garrett Skaggs, Trey Austin Skaggs, Shane Ryan Skaggs, Jack Henry Skaggs, his great-granddaughter Samantha Allison Skaggs, his sister Jalaane Haak Orth and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family welcomes guests and visitors on Thursday June 7th from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm for viewing and reception at Ted Dickey West Funeral Home, 8011 Frankford Rd. Dallas, Texas 75252. A memorial service officiated by Dr. Bob C. Ross will be held at the chapel of Ted Dickey West Funeral Home on Friday June 8th at 10:00 am. A private family burial will be at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery later that afternoon. Donations may be made to Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.
