1915
Harry
2011
Harry James Garrett
December 19, 1915 — January 10, 2011
Harry James Garrett
(Jack Garrett)
Was born December 19, 1915 on a cold winter night in Cedar, Iowa. The doctor came to the family home by a horse drawn buggy. He was born to parents who had rented a 60 acre farm. He was the first child of Ray and Hazel Garrett. Jack had four younger siblings, three brothers and a sister.
In 1920 the depression hit Iowa and his family had to give up the 60 acre farm and move to Colorado where his maternal grandparents lived. Over the years Jack’s family moved to Arizona, New Mexico and then back to Arizona. His father worked as a road construction employee and the family was required to move often. They then moved back to Arizona because his father got a job working on the Hoover Dam. During the summers Jack would go to work with his father at the dam.
Jack graduated from high school in 1934 in Las Vegas, Nevada. In 1935 he enrolled in college at the University of Arizona. While in college he received his personal pilots license, the University offered a program for students to receive these license. The college paid $30.00 and the student had to pay $19.00 to take the course. He also enrolled in the School of Engineering and ROTC. He graduated from the University of Arizona in 1940 as a 2nd Lt. ROTC with an Engineering degree in Mining.
After graduating from the University of Arizona as a 2nd Lt. ROTC with an Engineering degree in Mining and a private pilot license, he reported to Military duty in 1941. He was then required go to Kansas for Active Duty during War World II. While on Active Duty he was a part of the Mounted Horse Cavalry and Flight School. In 1942 he was promoted to a Captain. Jack also attended Command General Staff School. He was then sent over seas to Australia to be a pilot for the Southwest Pacific Wing of the Air Transport under the direction of General Douglas McArthur. Jack transported supplies and troops during World War II. He then flew General Douglas McArthur, himself to Tokyo. After the A Bomb was dropped in 1945 he returned home to Brownsville, Texas and went into the reserves. In 1950 he was called back to Active Duty for the Korean war buts asked for an extension due to having a cotton crop planted. The Military granted him the extension until harvest. Once harvest was over he reported back to duty but opted to farm rather than re-enlist. Thus ending his Military career as a Major in the US Army.
In 1942 Jack married Mary Frances Seago. They had two children, James Douglas Garrett (Jim) and Kathryn Louise Garrett. In 1956 Mary Frances past way due to cancer. After his wife’s passing Jack farmed and raised cattle for a living.
In 1958 he married Avis Elizabeth Myrick Sears whom was also a widow. When they married they had a total of 5 children. Elizabeth had three boys from her late husband Paul Sears, John, James, and Jerry. In 1959 Jack and Elizabeth welcomed their only child, JoAnn Garrett into their combined family.
Jack made his living through farming and ranching. He planted his first crop in 1949, which was cotton. He continued to work on the farm until 2001, which was a total of 53 years of dedicated farming. He continued to stay actively involved in the daily task of the farm up until his death on January 10, 2011. Jack will be remembered by his friends and most importantly by his family as the most honest, hard working, loving, dedicated farmer and mentor. Jack had integrity and moral values. His hand shake was his word and his word was his bond.
“And now, the end is near. And so I face the final curtain my friend, I’ll say it clear.
I’ll state my case of which a life that’s full. I’ve traveled each and every highway.
But more, much more than this I did it MY WAY.” - Unknown.
Jack had many accomplishments and served on many Boards through out the years.
They are as follows:
Boards & Committees:
Soil & Water Conservation, Producers Gin Association, Valco Cooperative Oil Mil, Rangerville CO-OP Gin, Texas Bank of Cooperatives, Farmers CO-OP Air Services, Farm Bureau, Harlingen Irrigation District, Plain Cooperative, Cattleman’s Association, Agriculture Research & Extension Advisory Committee, Har-Tex Feed Lot, Port Regional Gin, and Man Power Advisory Planning Counsel.
Certificates and Awards:
?1953 - Save the Soil Award
?1957 - Certificate of Ordination Ruling Elder and a Certificate of Installation Ruling Elder from the Presbyterian Church in the United States.
?1960-1961 - Appreciation & Recognition for his outstanding leadership in Agriculture Industries of Texas by the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas.
?1981 - In Grateful Appreciation of outstanding Public Service in Furthering Educational Programs through the County Program Building Process from the Texas Agricultural Extension Service of Texas A&M University System.
?1989 - Produced the American Breed Champion Steer at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
?1989 & 1990 - Valley Baptist Medical Foundation Century Club Partners in Caring
?1990 - Recognition for Outstanding Leadership by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service of Texas A&M University System.
?2010 - Harlingen Irrigation District Cameron County #1 Recognized HJ (Jack) Garrett for his dedicated Leadership and Service as a Board Member for the District spanning 57 years. 1953-1955 and 1988-2010.
?He also won the Texas State Hay Show several years in a row.
(Jack Garrett)
Was born December 19, 1915 on a cold winter night in Cedar, Iowa. The doctor came to the family home by a horse drawn buggy. He was born to parents who had rented a 60 acre farm. He was the first child of Ray and Hazel Garrett. Jack had four younger siblings, three brothers and a sister.
In 1920 the depression hit Iowa and his family had to give up the 60 acre farm and move to Colorado where his maternal grandparents lived. Over the years Jack’s family moved to Arizona, New Mexico and then back to Arizona. His father worked as a road construction employee and the family was required to move often. They then moved back to Arizona because his father got a job working on the Hoover Dam. During the summers Jack would go to work with his father at the dam.
Jack graduated from high school in 1934 in Las Vegas, Nevada. In 1935 he enrolled in college at the University of Arizona. While in college he received his personal pilots license, the University offered a program for students to receive these license. The college paid $30.00 and the student had to pay $19.00 to take the course. He also enrolled in the School of Engineering and ROTC. He graduated from the University of Arizona in 1940 as a 2nd Lt. ROTC with an Engineering degree in Mining.
After graduating from the University of Arizona as a 2nd Lt. ROTC with an Engineering degree in Mining and a private pilot license, he reported to Military duty in 1941. He was then required go to Kansas for Active Duty during War World II. While on Active Duty he was a part of the Mounted Horse Cavalry and Flight School. In 1942 he was promoted to a Captain. Jack also attended Command General Staff School. He was then sent over seas to Australia to be a pilot for the Southwest Pacific Wing of the Air Transport under the direction of General Douglas McArthur. Jack transported supplies and troops during World War II. He then flew General Douglas McArthur, himself to Tokyo. After the A Bomb was dropped in 1945 he returned home to Brownsville, Texas and went into the reserves. In 1950 he was called back to Active Duty for the Korean war buts asked for an extension due to having a cotton crop planted. The Military granted him the extension until harvest. Once harvest was over he reported back to duty but opted to farm rather than re-enlist. Thus ending his Military career as a Major in the US Army.
In 1942 Jack married Mary Frances Seago. They had two children, James Douglas Garrett (Jim) and Kathryn Louise Garrett. In 1956 Mary Frances past way due to cancer. After his wife’s passing Jack farmed and raised cattle for a living.
In 1958 he married Avis Elizabeth Myrick Sears whom was also a widow. When they married they had a total of 5 children. Elizabeth had three boys from her late husband Paul Sears, John, James, and Jerry. In 1959 Jack and Elizabeth welcomed their only child, JoAnn Garrett into their combined family.
Jack made his living through farming and ranching. He planted his first crop in 1949, which was cotton. He continued to work on the farm until 2001, which was a total of 53 years of dedicated farming. He continued to stay actively involved in the daily task of the farm up until his death on January 10, 2011. Jack will be remembered by his friends and most importantly by his family as the most honest, hard working, loving, dedicated farmer and mentor. Jack had integrity and moral values. His hand shake was his word and his word was his bond.
“And now, the end is near. And so I face the final curtain my friend, I’ll say it clear.
I’ll state my case of which a life that’s full. I’ve traveled each and every highway.
But more, much more than this I did it MY WAY.” - Unknown.
Jack had many accomplishments and served on many Boards through out the years.
They are as follows:
Boards & Committees:
Soil & Water Conservation, Producers Gin Association, Valco Cooperative Oil Mil, Rangerville CO-OP Gin, Texas Bank of Cooperatives, Farmers CO-OP Air Services, Farm Bureau, Harlingen Irrigation District, Plain Cooperative, Cattleman’s Association, Agriculture Research & Extension Advisory Committee, Har-Tex Feed Lot, Port Regional Gin, and Man Power Advisory Planning Counsel.
Certificates and Awards:
?1953 - Save the Soil Award
?1957 - Certificate of Ordination Ruling Elder and a Certificate of Installation Ruling Elder from the Presbyterian Church in the United States.
?1960-1961 - Appreciation & Recognition for his outstanding leadership in Agriculture Industries of Texas by the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas.
?1981 - In Grateful Appreciation of outstanding Public Service in Furthering Educational Programs through the County Program Building Process from the Texas Agricultural Extension Service of Texas A&M University System.
?1989 - Produced the American Breed Champion Steer at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
?1989 & 1990 - Valley Baptist Medical Foundation Century Club Partners in Caring
?1990 - Recognition for Outstanding Leadership by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service of Texas A&M University System.
?2010 - Harlingen Irrigation District Cameron County #1 Recognized HJ (Jack) Garrett for his dedicated Leadership and Service as a Board Member for the District spanning 57 years. 1953-1955 and 1988-2010.
?He also won the Texas State Hay Show several years in a row.
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