Terry Garrett

Terry Randall Garrett the son of George Albert and Bonnie Jean (Tudor) Garrett was born June 30, 1958, in Memphis, Tennessee, and departed this life on December 26, 2020, in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, at the age of 62 years, 5 months, and 26 days.

Terry loved the Lord, his family (both immediate and extended) and life as a whole. He had a true servant’s heart and was a people person who never met a stranger. He enjoyed serving the community as the Western Auto store manager, a teacher/coach and administrator in the Tahlequah Public School system for 20 years, and as a Village Travel motor coach operator in his retirement. He enjoyed his home life, which included doing home repairs, yard work and building things around his home. Terry had become very proud of his accomplishments on the smoker he got for Christmas a few years ago. He was always looking for new recipes and ways to cook different cuts of meat. Travelling adventures were top on his list and he loved travelling with Connie all over the U.S. Family vacations on Galveston Beach and Grand Cayman, along with a Route 66 road trip were highlights. The motorhome (fondly nicknamed Papa’s Bus) was put to good use during 2020 as other travel became difficult. Many waterfalls were found and several places on their bucket list were visited. Terry loved teaching and enjoyed the relationships that were created throughout his teaching, coaching and administrative career, both local and statewide. He was the teacher for the Ageless Disciples Sunday School class at Park Hill Baptist Church for many years. The members of this class became part of their extended family. The class went on many adventures together, including two jeeping trips every year. Terry’s desire to own a Harley was realized in
2017 and they took it on several trips, including a run up Pikes Peak in Colorado last year.

Terry and Connie were high school sweethearts and spent 46 years together total. They had a wonderful marriage, enhanced by the addition of their two children, Amy and Alan. They have always been best friends and were usually seen out together. They loved life and enjoyed doing things together. One of the hardest trials they went through was the loss of their son, Alan, four years ago. The highlight of his life in the last few years has been spending time with his grandchildren and going to their activities. He was known for his big smile and infectious laugh. Graduating from Tahlequah High School and then going on to teach/coach and serve as an administrator for Tahlequah Public Schools, Terry was definitely “Once a Tiger, Always a Tiger”. As an added bonus, the years he served at Greenwood Elementary also made him a Gorilla for Life. He most recently served during the COVID pandemic, transporting nurses to and from work in McAllen and Amarillo, Texas. Terry touched many lives over the years and will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his son Alan Garrett; his brothers George Dee Garrett and Rodney Eugene Garrett; and his sister Cassandra Jean Goodwin.

He is survived by a loving family which includes his wife of over 42 years Connie Garrett of the home; his daughter Amy Gilliam of Bentonville; his daughter-in-law Terri Lynn Garrett of Tahlequah; his brother Mike Garrett of Tahlequah; his grandchildren Oakley Grace Gilliam, Nicholas Lee Garrett, Haley Dawn Garrett, Raylee Daelynn Garrett and MaKenzie Gilliam Yoder; and his father and mother-in-law Bill and Dixie Dudley. Several nieces, nephews, friends and other relatives also survive him.