Rev. David Lee Garrett

Sept. 6, 1930 – April 5, 2012

Dave Garrett, 81, of Lovell, died April 5, 2012, in Billings, of complications following heart surgery.[caption id="attachment_3320" align="alignright" width="109" caption="David Garrett"][/caption]He was born Sept. 6, 1930, in Countyline, Okla., the eldest of four children, to Roy and Edith McCortney Garrett. He spent his early years in Texas and Oklahoma before moving to St. Elmo, Ill., graduating from high school there. While in St. Elmo, he married Jean Foistier, his wife of 62 years. To that union were born two sons and a daughter who died in infancy.During the first 15 years of their marriage Dave worked in the oil fields, moving to Wyoming in 1953. In June of 1958 Dave and Jean recommitted their lives to Jesus Christ. In 1960 they felt the call of God on their lives to prepare for a life of pastoral ministry. They answered their first church call in 1964 to Jackson, Wyo. They also pastored in Glenrock, Richmond, Ind., and 29 years at Glad Tidings Assembly of God Church in Laramie.During his years in Wyoming, Dave was the voice of “The Good News Gospel Broadcast” on KOWB radio. Dave was also a member of the Rotary Club, where he progressed through the chairs and became president of the club. He also served the Wyoming District of the Assemblies of God as a district officer for many years. Dave also served as staff chaplain at Ivinson Memorial Hospital for several years.In 2002 they moved to Grand Island, Neb., where Dave accepted an invitation to mentor a young pastor in the Assembly of God Church in Burwell, Neb., an 82-mile trip each way.Dave was a very good athlete, football and baseball being his favorite sports. He played baseball with a boy named Mickey Mantle. The two went at each other often on the baseball diamond. Dave was scouted by the New York Yankees but was turned down when they found out he was blind in one eye.His love of sports had him coaching Little League baseball in Jackson. His life was a testimony to several kids who have later looked him up to thank him for showing them the life of Christ through his walk. He umpired Legion ball while in Glenrock.Dave very much enjoyed football. For the past 38 years Dave and Jean held season tickets for Wyoming Cowboy football. He also became an avid fan of Cowboy basketball. While living in Grand Island, he regularly made the trips to Laramie on game day.He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Jean, daughter Debra Jean Garrett, brother James Garrett and grandson Richard David Garrett. Dave is survived by two sons, Dan Garrett of Grand Island and Mike Garrett of Laramie; two granddaughters, Tracey Garrett of Grand Island and Meredith (Dustin) Lee of Scottsbluff, Neb.; sister Wanda (Roy) Reilly of Bakersfield, Calif.; brother Jack (Donna) Garrett of Robinson, Ill.; five great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.He is also survived by two special “adopted” daughters, Sue Larsen of Powell and Teressa Ennis of Lovell, and two special “adopted” grandchildren, Tyler Ennis and Tess Peterson of Lovell.Funeral services were held Wednesday, April 11, 2012, at Laramie Valley Chapel with pastors Dave Busch, Dan York and Paul Martin officiating. Montgomery-Stryker Funeral Home in Laramie was in charge of arrangements.