Virgil was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on December 13, 1955 to his parents Virgil and Shirley Garrett. His sister, Vickie, came along in 1958 to complete their family. They lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma until 1959 when they moved to Kansas City, Missouri. Virgil graduated from Raytown South High School in Raytown, Missouri in 1974 and began working for Ford Motor Company. In 1975 he met his wife, Debra Elizabeth Johnson, and they were joined in marriage on May 15, 1976. Their two sons, Christopher and Scott, came to them in 1978 and 1981 and quickly became the center of Virgil’s world. Virgil loved his boys tremendously and remained a daily part of their lives, even as they married and had children of their own. In 1983, the family moved from Kansas City, Missouri to Arlington, Texas where Virgil resided the rest of his life. He enjoyed a bowling league in his younger years and also playing soccer. Once Chris and Scott became involved in sports, that became where Virgil found the joy of his life. Watching his boys play soccer, football, and softball was where he was the happiest! He spent a great deal of time sitting in the parking lot at Softball World between games at softball tournaments enjoying conversations and laughter with softball family that he enjoyed so much.
In 2012 Virgil took on a new role as PawPaw when his first grandchild, Colton, was born. His role expanded in 2014, 2016, and 2017 with the arrival of his granddaughters Cadyn, Ava, and Adalyn.
In 2014, Virgil lost his wife of 38 years, Debbie. He retired from Ford after working there for 40 years in 2015 and continued to enjoy watching his boys play softball and watching his grandkids grow.
Virgil’s love for his sons and their friends was something that inspired others. He never met a stranger and would welcome anyone to sit and chat while having a cold beer. His easygoing nature and laid back personality make him someone who drew in people and made quick friends. His death leaves a void that will be felt deeply in the softball community.
Virgil was preceded in death by his father Virgil Garrett, stepfather Emerson Peck, wife Debra Garrett, and mother Shirley Peck.
Virgil is survived by his children, Christopher and wife Crystal, and their children Colton and Cadyn, of Grand Prairie, Texas, and Scott and his wife Amanda and their children Ava and Adalyn of Arlington, Texas, sister Vickie Leon and her husband Gerardo of Arlington, Texas, father and mother-in-law, Earl and Minnie Johnson of Ulman, Missouri, brother-in-law David Johnson and his wife Lisa of Overland Park, Kansas, uncle Jerry Garrett and his wife V.C. of Tulsa Oklahoma, nephew Alex Leon of Arlington, Texas, niece Cassandra Gonzalez and her husband Adrian of Lexington Park, Maryland, niece Cody Johnson of Overland Park, Kansas and nephew Cole Johnson of Victor, Idaho.
A visitation will be held at Moore Funeral Home, 1219 North Davis Drive, Arlington, Texas 76012 on Friday, November 16, 2018 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held at Moore Funeral Home on Saturday, November 17, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. followed by a committal service at Moore Memorial Gardens.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18