David A. Garrett

David A. Garrett was born December 25, 1928 in San Angelo, TX and entered into eternal life Sunday, July 19, 2009 at the age of 80. He received a B.S. degree in Business Administration from Hardin Simmons University in 1949 and an honorary Doctorate of Humanities in 1977. He worked for Hendricks Hospital in Abilene and later for the UT Medical Branch at Galveston where he met his wife, Juanita F. Bruce. They married on October 9, 1952 and had two children, Bruce and Lisa. He joined Baptist Memorial Hospital in San Antonio as Assistant Administrator in 1954. He was promoted to Administrator and CEO in 1961 and served as President and CEO of the Baptist Hospital System from 1961 to 1989. He led in numerous expansion projects and in building three more Baptist hospitals in San Antonio. He organized the first certified hospital-based chaplaincy program in Texas. He was instrumental in founding the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center, where he served as a member of the Board of Directors from 1972 to 1994. He also helped establish the San Antonio Eye Bank. Under his leadership the Institute of Health Education was developed. He and his wife were charter members of the Parkhills Baptist Church, where he served as a Deacon. David was preceded in death by his son, Bruce A. Garrett. He is survived by his wife Juanita, and his daughter Lisa. Contributions may be made in his memory to the Baptist Health System, School of Health Professions, Bruce A. Garrett Medical Library, 8400 Datapoint Drive, SA TX 78229, which was started by David A. and Juanita F. Garrett in memory of their son, or to The Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio, 750 E. Mulberry Ave, Suite 325, SA TX 78212, for scholarships for students attending the School of Health Professions. Interment was in the Sunset Memorial Park.