Charleston-Entered into eternal rest on Friday, September 14, 2012, Thomas Anthony Garrett, Jr. widower of Helen Heiterer Garrett of Charleston, South Carolina
The relatives and friends of Mr. Thomas Anthony Garrett, Jr. are invited to attend his Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM Monday, September 17, 2012, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. The Rite of Committal will follow at St. Lawrence Cemetery. A Vigil Service will begin at 5:00 PM Sunday afternoon at the Funeral Home, 1620 Savannah Hwy. and the family will receive friends until 7:00 PM.
Tommy was born in Louisville, Kentucky on December 22, 1929, the son of Thomas A. Garrett and Evelyn Swank Garrett. He graduated from Chicora High and was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Most important to Tommy was to provide for his wife and six children. As the sole provider for seven, he often spent late nights on the job.
Tommy was a top producing life insurance salesman for more than 35 years in the Charleston area though his clients were nationwide. He spent many years as a member of the Million Dollar Roundtable and served as the general agent in Charleston for Prudential, Connecticut Mutual, Franklin Life and Mutual of New York. His production levels often placed him in the top 10% in the country. From 1948-1950 he was an active member of the United States Marine Corps with an honorable discharge rank of PFC. During this time he served in the Korean War. He continued his association with the Marines as a member of the Lowcountry Leathernecks. He was the owner and CEO of TAG Inc. a nationwide marketing firm specializing in expense reduction programs and human resource development. At the first International Human Resources Congress held in Chicago in 1971, he was presented the "Excellence In Marketing Award". Tommy was a life member of the Charleston Elk's Lodge # 242 and a member of the National Life Underwriters Association. He was a life member of the American Federation of Musicians and served as the president of council 502. His favorite music was from the Big Band Era and he and his father were co-leaders in the "Tommy Garrett Orchestra" which played most of the prestigious affairs in the Charleston area.
Tommy is survived by his six children, Joyce G. Bailey and her husband Robert, Cathie G. Smith and her husband Russell, Julie G. Lewis and her husband Tom, Thomas A. Garrett III and his wife Lee Ann, Edward L. Garrett, and James H. Garrett and his wife Jena; and his grandchildren, Rob, Thomas, Mary Helen, Tony, John, Russel, Michael, Ashley, Thomas, Cameron, Madison, Jamie, Chandler and Collin
Memorial contributions may be made to Blessed Sacrament Church, Building Fund 5 St. Teresa Dr. Charleston, SC 29407. His Guestbook may be signed at www.jamesamcalister.com. Arrangements by JAMES A. MCALISTER Funerals & Cremation 766-1365
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