My Father

I wanted to tell you a few celebrations about my father. I remember my father from an early age was always a quiet thoughtful man with a wonderful personality. I remember being asked to say why I loved my father once during elementary school for Father's Day and I said because he says I have dumbo ears - he was right. Turns out that was for a radio broadcast. I also drew his hands black on all my pictures - that's because he was always working on cars and I never saw them without grease. My dad was a tinkerer and had the best green thumb. Those of you who have ever been to his house will know of his dedication and love for my mother. There isn't a board in the house that my father hasn't built or rebuilt. It is full of oasis's and garden spots to sit peacefully. My father never met a stranger he has life long friends. From the hundreds of boys he helped in scouting to the thousands whose lives he touched over the years they all comment on what a kindly soul he is. My father was a hero - first to my mother from her mule ride dates to the way he thought of her first in everything - he was a man to model for everyone. He was a hero in Vietnam earning 2 Purple Hearts and a bronze star. To the Scouts of troop 573 in Marietta where he was called "Mr. Garrett" - although we all knew him as the chief architect of the bus called the blue bomber! He taught us to cook and clean, to respect others and to persevere when times got tough - even if that was on the side of a mountain at 9pm in the rain with a broken down blue bomber.  He was a hero to his community helping complete strangers out during times of emergencies ( ie snowfall), a hero to the Georgia Vietnam Veterans helping others to find he same peace he had found in life. My father was a workaholic - that wasn't a bad thing for him - he worked on everything with an unparalleled passion - whether that was a car, a project, a plant, or a person. He put in the hours in all of us - from teaching me (who inherited zero mechanical ability) how to change the oil for the 17th time to helping my sister learn to cook. My father was a man of few words but those words he did say had impact and meaning.  Even if it was when you arrived home at 2am with a really good excuse.  My father was the eternal practical joker.  From singing fish on the office wall to the outhouse he was planning for the back yard. He loved making you smile - he diffused tense situations with a well timed joke or a quick smile. Dad was the quiet guy in the background making everything work. My father was a family man. He taught us and those around us to be servant leaders before it became a popular buzz word. He kept his family together through thick and thin. We didn't have much growing up but he made it count. He thought a family should eat together and play together - even if that meant whipped cream and radish fights during dinner. He loved his grandchildren - even if at first he was afraid of dropping them. He played hats and rode bikes with them even got them to sleep during his naps. My father is an amazing person.  Dad you cannot be missed because you are here in all the things we do and in the lives of those you touched - the world is a better place because of you.  Dad, has gone before us because apparently our heavenly cars need fixing before we get there - thank you dad for your inspiring legacy. We will see you soon. 

Love always,
Robert, Michelle, Matthew, Benjamin, Katherine , and your lil buddy William.

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.


Jerry was a faithful member of the Georgia Military Vehicle Preservation Association.  I had a long conversation with him about Jeeps and Ford Falcons at our March show and tell.  We will really miss him.  God speed, Jerry!

Jerry Lee Garrett was my older brother and a wonderful person.He was good to everyone especially his wife and children.My heart is with them now.To celebrate his Life is what he would have wanted and he had a wonderful life at that.He will be missed by all.I will see you sweet brother when my time here is up. Love always,Deb Fraser.

I am a Boy Scout volunteer working with Jerry's son Robert.  I did not know Jerry, but if he is anything like Robert, I am sorry I did not know him.  Robert came to Milwaukee and is doing a terrific job.  

Both my wife Audrey and I are very sorry for your loss.  We offer our deepest sympathies and although this is sudden loss, try to remember all of the good things and times.  That has always helped me through difficult times such as this.

We wish the family only the best both now and in the future.

Again, with sympathies,


John & Audrey Makowski
Colgate, Wisconsin

"Mr. Garrett," as Jerry will always be known to me was a very important part of my life for many years while I was in the Boy Scouts of America.  I saw him just a couple of years ago when my wife and I visited with Robert and Michele when they were living in the Asheville, NC, area.  He is missed by many.

OBITUARY

Jerry Lee Garrett

August 10, 1948 – May 5, 2014

Georgia Memorial Park Funeral Home & Cemetery Winkenhofer Chapel

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