Dr. Timothy Garth

1981 - 2021

KEARNEY - Dr. Timothy Garth, 40, of Kearney died Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021 at CHI Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney with his wife, Michelle, by his side.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. James Catholic Church in Kearney.
Inurnment will follow at Kearney Cemetery.
Open visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Thursday at O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney.
Timothy Brian Garth was born Aug. 6, 1981, in North Platte to Michael Garth and Therese McCarthy. He grew up in North Platte, and as a kid enjoyed books, filmmaking and playing at Grandma's. He attended St. Patrick High School, graduating in 2000. Afterward, Tim attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, and received a bachelor's degree in art education in 2005.
After graduation, he taught elementary art at Papillion-La Vista Public Schools and high school art at Columbus High School. While teaching, Tim went on to earn his master's degree from the University of Nebraska-Kearney in 2011. His passion for art education then led him to the University of North Texas where he earned his doctor of philosophy in 2016. After receiving his doctorate, Tim was a professor of art education at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock and most recently at UNK. Throughout his education and professional career, Tim received numerous prestigious awards, fellowships and research grants. He was an artist and a passionate educator, who dedicated his life to advocate for arts education and mentoring teachers and students.
On July 1, 2006, Tim married Michelle Boell in Kearney, their 15 years of marriage were filled with love, laughter and many adventures. Their greatest being the birth of their beloved son, Oliver, in 2019. Tim's greatest joy was spending time with Ollie making art, reading stories, playing with their dogs, and fostering his love of the great outdoors. Tim was a devoted husband, father and friend. He always made his family and friends a priority. He was a kind, loving, outgoing and charismatic man who never met a stranger. He was a best friend to many. Tim loved the arts, music, a good craft beer or whiskey, and was an avid Huskers and Chiefs fan. He also relished his role as founder, commissioner and multiple time champion of their fantasy football league.
Tim waged a long, hard-fought, courageous battle, and we are very proud of him. He was a ray of positivity, goodness and light. He will be missed by many. He won, he is free.
Survivors include his wife, Michelle Garth of Kearney; son, Oliver Garth of Kearney; father, Michael Garth of North Platte; sister, Katherine Garth of Omaha; brother, Daniel Garth of St. Louis, Missouri; grandmother-in-law, Dixie Boell of Holdrege; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Robin and Doug Boell of Kearney; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Stacey and Mike Wendell of Bertrand; nieces and nephews, Kaylee, Landon and Addison Andersen and Peyton and Olivia Wendell; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family and friends.
Tim was preceded in death by his mother, Therese; brother-in-law, Ronald Andersen Jr; grandparents, Myron and Catherine Garth and L.R. and Mary Alice McCarthy; grandparents-in-law Art and Ramona Heins and Benjamin Boell.
Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation.
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