Patricia Ann Garroutte (Pat) of New Baden, Illinois passed away at her home on March 22, 2018 surrounded by her family and friends. Patricia was born on April 20, 1937 to Theodore J. and Dovie Duncan in Sand Springs, Oklahoma. She married Charles A. Garroutte on August 14, 1954 and they shared 56 years of marriage until his death in 2010. Together they reared three children, Vincent Charles Garroutte (Estranged) of St. Louis, Missouri; Michael Allen Garroutte (Michelle) of Chesterfield, Virginia and Cristy Ann Barham (Bobby) of New Baden, Illinois.
As a devoted military wife and mother, Pat staunchly supported her husband’s career in the Air Force and made homes for her family all over the world including Texas, Spain, Georgia, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Hawaii and Illinois. Retired Chief Master Sergeant Charles Garroutte was able to be engaged in command and control of crisis operations for the military services because Pat was in command and control at home averting crises there. After moving to New Baden in 1980, Pat worked at New Baden Elementary School as a teacher’s aide where she enjoyed providing help and support to many children.
Everyone will remember Pat as a confidante with an enduring sense of humor, quick wit and fierce independence. Though often asked for advice, Pat was reluctant to give it; instead she led by example inspiring others with her straightforward honesty and steadfast loyalty, devotion and kindness to family and friends.
Pat was preceded in death by her husband, Charles, her parents, Theodore and Dovie Duncan, her in-laws Jay and Hazel Garroutte, and two sisters-in-law, Dorothy Willett and Jerry Leppke. In addition to her children, and son-in-law Bobby and daughter-in-law Michelle, Pat leaves behind many others to grieve her loss. Most notably her beloved grandchildren Brett, Eric and Colleen Barham; Matthew and Kyle Garroutte; Kayleigh Ward and Kevin Sharp as well as five great grandchildren, Riley-Jay, Jazmine, Rome, Indi-Ray, and Sasha. As well as her estranged brother, Leon Duncan; and a sister-in-law, Elizabeth Hankins; and seven nieces and nephews. Lastly, her dear friends, neighbors Trina and Mark Friend, their two daughters Ally and Kyla, and their family who knew her affectionately as “Ma” will also feel her loss.
Services will begin at Reed-Culver Funeral Home, 117 W Delaware St, Tahlequah, OK 74464, with funeral procession for Interment and graveside service at Fort Gibson National Cemetery in Muskogee Oklahoma, where she will be alongside her husband, at 11 am on March 27, 2018.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18