Shellie Garrett, Jr.
08/29/1948 - 04/29/2025
With heavy hearts, the family of Shellie Arline Garrett, Jr., announces his passing on April 29, 2025.
A beloved member of the community, Shellie, left us after a three-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Born on August 29, 1948, Shellie spent his life dedicated to his family, friends, and passions. Known for his kindness, generosity, and unwavering support, Shellie touched the lives of many during his career. He earned his undergraduate and MBA at the University of San Francisco and served as an officer in the U.S. Army. In his 60s, Shellie resumed formal education by pursuing a master's in military history at Norwich University. He continued taking adjunct classes online, from various colleges on many subjects, until his death. Shellie was an avid learner.
In his early years, Shellie was active in the Republican Party and ran a business in voter data until 2010. His other great loves were baseball, opera, and history. He loved to talk to anyone about each topic with immense joy. He was a lifelong baseball fan and spent many long sunny afternoons cheering both the Giants and A's to victory.
In 2013, after converting to Catholicism, Shellie joined the parish of St. Dominic's Catholic Church, San Francisco, and became an active member of the Dominican Laity Fraternity. Shellie's love and devotion to his family were evident throughout his life, and his legacy will continue through the cherished memories shared by his loved ones. Shellie was preceded in death by his wife, Anne Garrett, and daughter, Stephanie Rainey. He is survived by his daughter, Sarah Garrett, Elk Grove, CA, and grandsons, Carl and Joshua Rainey, Baytown, TX.
A funeral mass will be held at St. Dominic's Catholic Church, San Francisco, on June 4th, 2025, at 12 p.m. with a rosary before services and a reception following.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Dominican Laity Fraternity in Shellie's name by donating to St. Dominic's Catholic Church, San Francisco, with the memo "Attn: Donation to Dominican Laity" or you may donate to PanCAN (Pancreatic Cancer Action Network) at PanCAN (Pancreatic Cancer Action Network).org/goto/ShellieAGarrett" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://support.PanCAN (Pancreatic Cancer Action Network).org/goto/ShellieAGarrett
He will be deeply missed, and his spirit will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him. May he rest in peace.

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Published by San Francisco Chronicle on May 28, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Shellie Garrett

6 Entries

Anthony Alfidi

August 29, 2025

Shellie, thank you for your friendship, and for your service to our country in the U.S. Army. You were always generous in sharing your knowledge of military history and opera. I especially remember when you invited me to a meeting of the Sacramento Seminar political roundtable at North Beach restaurant. I miss your erudition and wisdom already.

Carole Anne

June 3, 2025

You were always so knowledgeable in anything any of us talked with you about You were definitely a wealth of information. You will be missed! Rest in Peace Shellie!

Rich Robinson

June 3, 2025

Shellie was a true friend. While working on opposite sides of the aisle, we communicated with respect.
We golfed, shared a love of history and love of country. Shellie was a rational, reasonable and honest conservative. We will miss his wisdom, knowledge and sense of humor.
Our loss cannot be overstated. He was a great human being.

Lorraine Rose

May 28, 2025

I will miss not seeing Shellie walking through the hallways of The Park with his bright smile and his more than willingness to share his knowledge with all who he meets. I admired his strength in all that he had gone through and was going through during the hard time that he lived as a neighbor of mine. He was strong. He was sweet and generous. He was able to teach by his knowledge as if he were an encyclopedia himself. I not only will miss him, but I will think of him often. I am so happy that he came into my life three years ago. I´m not only lost a neighbor but a new friend that I will miss Shellie greatly! May you rest in peace and may you find joy and love where you are now residing. Condolence to the family. Especially Sarah his daughter, she came almost every day, to help her dad. He will be a loss to me, and he has been an inspiration for even more people who have had the opportunity to know him throughout the years.

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Judith Garvey

May 28, 2025

I remember Shellie Garrett from my years at the University of San Francisco. He was a gentleman, engaging, bright and nice to be around. Condolences to the family during this sad time. Such a courageous brave fight to live.

Dick Spotswood

May 28, 2025

A fine man who loved his family above all. The world needs more Shellie Garretts

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