CARTHAGE, NY — Thomas L. Garrett, 91, of 36639 NYS Route 3, died Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019, at the Carthage Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing, where he was a resident for a short time.
Born Jan. 24, 1928, in Croghan, the son of Thomas E. and Cozette S. Barnum Garrett, he graduated from Carthage High School.
He had a long career of service with the military, serving in active duty with the United States Navy from 1945-46, then with the Naval Reserve until 1950, when he enlisted in the United States Army, serving on active duty until 1953. He then served with the Army Reserve until 1955, before transitioning to the New York Army National Guard from 1955 until his retirement in 1986. He was a supervisor with the 127th Maintenance Co. at the Armory in Carthage.
Tom married Beatrice E. Gokey on December 20, 1947. They were happily married until her passing on June 14, 2013.
He had many hobbies and interests, including reading, researching his military history, auto repair, listening to music, going out to dinner and ice cream, taking drives or going on trips in his camper or motor home.
He also enjoyed being outdoors; hunting, boating and spending time at Pleasant Lake and Elijah Lake with his family and friends.
He was a member of the Carthage American Legion, the Carthage VFW and the Carthage Elks Lodge BPOE #1762.
Tom is survived by his daughter and son in law, Michele and Dan Kane, Johnson City, NY, his daughter in law, Charlotte A. Garrett, Carthage, his grandchildren; Renee Garrett-Storrs and her husband, James Storrs, Thomas A. Garrett and his companion, Sarah Taylor, Stephen J. Garrett and his companion, Valeriana Valley-Martin, Daniel Kane Jr. and his wife, Meredith, David Kane and his wife Jill, Sarah Kane and Joseph Kane and his wife Nikki; and six great-grandchildren, Lillian Storrs, Decklan, Scarlett, Ava, Shay and Connor Kane.
He was predeceased by his wife, Bea, a son, Thomas R. Garrett, a brother, Francis Donald Garrett and a sister, Jessie Mae Gamble.
A funeral service with military honors will be held 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 5, with Wayne Arnold officiating in the Chapel of the Lundy Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Inc., 500 State St., Carthage. Calling hours will be held prior to the service from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday. Spring burial will take place in Hillside Cemetery, Champion, NY.
Donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in memory of Beatrice E. Garrett, www.alz.org.
