Garrett C. Roby

1994 - 2014

Garrett C. Roby

Norfolk - Garrett Christopher Roby came into this world on November 9, 1994 in Norfolk, Virginia and passed away on October 5, 2014 at the age of 19 years old. Preceding him in death was his maternal grandfather, Lawrence Edward Flanagan.

ATC1 Garrett Roby attended Fairlawn Elementary, The School of International Studies at Meadowbrook, and was an honor graduate of Norview High School, Class of 2013. He served in the U.S. Air Force as an Air Traffic Controller, Airman 1st Class. He was an honor graduate of BMT, TRS 322 in April 2014, and completed Tech school at Keesler AFB in Mississippi prior to joining his unit at Seymore Johnson AFB in Goldsboro, North Carolina. He was in All City Chorus in elementary school and played the violin in middle school. He was a proud member of the Meadowbrook Naval Cadets. He sang baritone in the Norview High School Men's Chorus and Varsity Singers, where he was selected to the All-District Chorus and was a featured singer in the 2013 Virginia Arts Festival International Tattoo. His four years at Norview were shaped by his many friendships in the chorus and the NJROTC program, and was a member of the honor guard and drill team. While at Norview HS, Garrett played JV and Varsity Football, as a linebacker and a long snapper.

He had a passion for the great outdoors, and was an accomplished fisherman and hunter. He spent much of his free time with his Dad and friends fishing wherever and whenever he could. He loved fly fishing on the Jackson River in Bath County each spring with his circle of boys and their Dads. He took pride in every fish he caught, no matter the size or species. He was awarded a Virginia Master Junior Angler award and caught countless fresh and saltwater citation fish. During the past few years, he enjoyed fishing from his kayak on many lakes, ponds and rivers in the Hampton Roads area. Garrett even managed to catch a prized Koi fish from Lake Edward.

Garrett was the best son and little brother in the world. He loved his family and friends. He was easy to be around because he found joy in the simple things. He did all things with love, and chose to define himself based on things he could do rather than things he could not. He touched so many lives, and we know his spirit will live on forever.

Left to mourn his memory are his loving parents Kevin and Danielle Roby, and his older sister Gabrielle. He is survived by his maternal grandmother, Gabriele Flanagan, "Nanny", of Norfolk and his paternal grandparents, Ted and Roberta Roby of Michigan. He had many aunts, uncles and cousins including his mother's brother, Stephen Flanagan, wife Madeline, and their children Ryan, Victoria and Matthew. His father's siblings include Kim Allen Roby and his wife Gayle, and Kim's children Rhiannon Roby and Brenton Roby. Jim Roby and his wife Debbie, and Jim's daughter, Nina. Keith Roby, and his children, Stacy, Sarah and Teddy. Katie Roby Hooker, and her daughter Megan. Karen Roby Richards, her husband Mike, and their sons James, Michael and Kirby. Katherine "Kitti" Roby Harlowe, her husband Scott and their children Kenneth "K.J." Boyles and Nick Harlowe (Fiance Amanda Huffman) and K.J.'s wife Shannon, and their children Meadow and Skyler.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Garrett Roby Memorial Music Fund, through the Norfolk Education Foundation, 800 E. City Hall Ave, Suite 1203, Norfolk, Virginia 23510. May music continue to touch the lives of children as it did his. The family is especially grateful to the many friends who have come to lend comfort including the US Air Force support teams at Seymore Johnson and Langley, and Norfolk and Virginia Beach Public Schools staff.

A celebration of his life will be held at 2:00pm Sunday, October 12, 2014 at Woodlawn Funeral Home Chapel, 6329 E. Virginia Beach Blvd, Norfolk. The family will receive friends from 1-2pm prior to the service. Condolences may be offered online to the family at www.woodlawngroup.com.