James H. Garrett

James H. "Jim" Garrett, age 77, of West, passed away early Wednesday morning, November 7, 2007 at his residence. A rosary will be recited 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel by Janice Kaluza, with visitation to follow until 8:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday at Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel in West, with the Rev. Ed Karasek officiating. Military Graveside Rites will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery conducted by West V.F.W. Post 4819. Mr. Garrett was born July 24, 1930 in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Holt and Sarah (Alsup) Garrett. They soon moved back to the family homestead near Rockvale, Tennessee where he attended school and was a 1949 graduate of Rockvale High School. He entered the United States Air Force in 1950. On December 23, 1953, he was united in marriage to Marian Elaine Miller in Las Vegas, New Mexico. He spent twenty-one years in the military and was stationed overseas in Guam, Germany, Aleutian Islands, Spain, and Thailand. While in Thailand, he provided technical expertise to navigational sites in Laos and Vietnam. After retiring in 1971, he attended Texas State Technical College for three years, and was hired by the A-C Compressor and Turbine Company as a Field Service Representative, and worked in Korea, Netherlands, Mexico, Venezuela, and Canada, for such companies as General Motors, DOW Chemical, and various electric power companies. In 1986, his career was cut short by an industrial accident. After recuperation, he spent the rest of his time ranching and helping veterans and their spouses pursue their claims with the Veterans Administration. He was appointed by Secretary of the VA (Principi) as a local CARES delegate to assist with the saving of the Waco VA Hospital. He held many positions in the VFW, including District Commander, and State Homeless Veterans Chairman. For the past two years, he was worked with Gov. Rick Perry's Committee on incarcerated veterans and homelessness for veterans. He was a certified service officer by the Texas Veterans Commission and helped many widows and veterans with very difficult cases. His greatest joy was helping his fellow veterans. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption, West V.F.W. Post 4819, Veterans of Vietnam War and Disabled American Veterans. He is preceded in death by an infant sister, Carolyn Garrett. Survivors include his beloved wife of 53 years, Marian Garrett of West; two sons, Richard Garrett and wife Susie of Panama City, Florida and Stuart Garrett and wife Sherry of Muldrow, OK; two daughters, Helen Garrett and fiancee Hank of Cedar Park and Janice Barrington and husband Mike of West; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Active pallbearers are Jerry Maynard, Gary Berger, Ted Uptmore Jr., Tom Morley, Richard Kaska, and Wayne Gregory. Honorary pallbearers are Coke Mills, Bill Mahon, Robert Carter, Frank Soukup, Bob Kreid, and West V.F.W. Post No. 4819 members and ladies auxiliary. Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.