Mr. Dick Garrett

Life’s journey for Dick Garrett began on September 14, 1949 in San Antonio, Texas when Frank and Viola were blessed with an extraordinary son. Dick was baptized at an early age at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in San Antonio, Texas. He was active in Junior Church, Sunday School, Baptist Training Union and Choir. He along with his brothers Levy and Jeff were known at church as “The Garrett Boys” as they were eleven months apart and were more like triplets. Dick received his formal education in the San Antonio Independent School District and graduated from Phyllis Wheatley High School in 1967. He attended St. Phillips College for two years and although Dick played various sports and excelled in baseball, his brother Levy realized that he could run fast and started to inquire with colleges about a scholarship in Track & Field. He reached out to the Track & Field coach at Grambling State University in Grambling, Louisiana and talked his father into taking Dick to Grambling to meet Coach Kenneth D. Gibson. Coach Gibson accepted a position at Kentucky State University in Frankfort, Kentucky and gave Dick a scholarship in Track & Field. Under Coach Gibson, the Kentucky State Thoroughbreds Track & Field Team excelled and won the NCAA Division II National Championship in 1971. Dick won All-American honors winning the 100 yard dash, 200 yard dash and the anchor for 440 yard relay with Steve Jordan, Charles Stallworth and Ronald Murphy. He qualified for the Olympic Trials for the 1972 Olympics; however, was not able to compete as he became ill. He stayed on at Kentucky State as a Student Coach while he completed his student teaching. He graduated in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Physical Education. Dick was recruited by the United States Marines to run professional track. He attended the Marine Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. He traveled on the Professional Track & Field circuit to all over the world and competed in sprint events for the US Marines with many of the meets being televised. He was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame at Kentucky State University in 2006. After serving in the marines, he was employed by General Motors at Buick City in Flint, Michigan and transferred to Arlington, Texas retiring as Senior Supervisor in May 2017 after 40 years of service. He was a member of the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity and was an avid golfer until his health prevented him from playing. He also loved watching and talking about all sports and enjoyed playing dominos with his friends. No one was ever a stranger as he loved people and talked to any and every one he encountered. Dick is preceded in death by his father, Frank Garrett, Sr., his brothers, Frank, Jr., Levy, and Jeff. He leaves to mourn his wife, Brenda, mother, Viola Fields, stepfather, Cleo Fields, stepmother Ethel Garrett, sisters, Sharon Fuery (Lionel) and Debra Stephens, San Antonio, brothers Staffon (Barbara), Houston and David, San Antonio. His legacy lives on through his children Kervin Barnett (Michelle), Plano, Leah Ruffin (Corey), Virginia Beach, VA, Staffon Garrett, Arlington and LaTivia Johnson (Deon), Flint, MI, Larry Benjamin, Hillsboro, Teresa Benjamin, Dallas, Terry Benjamin (Gloria), Glen Heights, and Tony Dixon (Candace), DeSoto, thirteen grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Mr. Dick Garrett

September 14, 1949 - July 8, 2018