Donald Garrett

Donald Garrett obituary, Long Beach, CA

Donald Garrett

Donald Garrett Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Dec. 24, 2024.
Donald Garrett passed away peacefully on December 21, 2024. He was a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and continued his military career flying F-4s with the Marine Corp. After leaving the military, he worked with Nalco Chemical Company for 30 years and was recognized for his leadership role in helping others achieve success. Following his retirement with Nalco, he spent another 10 years in water treatment with Kurita America. Don's lifelong love of participating in sports included swimming, water skiing, football, tennis, running, biking, handball, and most recently, pickleball and lawn bowling. His passion for travel took him all over the world. Don also donated his time to Habitat for Humanity and was a Blue & Gold Officer helping guide high school students through the admissions process for the United States Naval Academy and helped to identify those with the potential to become future leaders. Don is survived by his beloved wife, Nancy, and sons Randy (Stephanie) Garrett, Jeremy (Lori) Garrett, and Nick Garrett. He is the proud grandfather to Jessica and Megan. Don is also survived by his sister Lynne (Butch) Spoons, brother Brian (Christine) Garrett, and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Habitat for Humanity or a charity of your choice. A Celebration of Life will be held in January.

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June 12, 2025

Richard Kloch posted to the memorial.

January 10, 2025

Loren Reale posted to the memorial.

January 5, 2025

Russ Donati posted to the memorial.

Richard Kloch

June 12, 2025

Don and I played tennis together for North Tonawanda High School. He was a terrific athlete and a gentleman. I only recently found out about his passing. Too young to go. God bless, Marine. My condolences to Nancy and family.

Loren Reale

January 10, 2025

Don and I started at US Water about the same time. He had a work ethic like no other and a pragmatic kindness in all his interactions. It's rare for someone to stay in the same field their entire career. He did so with brilliance. To a life well lived.

Russ Donati

January 5, 2025

Met Don at pickleball in Seal Beach. Always competitive, but always a gentleman. A pleasure to know and to play with. Prayers to his family . He will be truly missed!

John

January 2, 2025

So sorry to hear and Don was a great guy that I always enjoyed spending time with during my time at Nalco. His enthusiasm and passion for life will be missed.

John Dace

December 30, 2024

Don was a fellow Naval Academy Alumni, Marine, F-4 Rio, Nalco District Manager and friend. He was a tremendous mentor to me and helped shape my career. I will be forever grateful. He will be missed but never forgotten. RIP Marine.

Jim Tenuto

December 28, 2024

Fair winds and following seas, classmate.

Jake Holshuh

December 28, 2024

I was shocked to hear this. I played Pickleball with Don often and found him a most affable partner. He will be missed by all at the clib

Scott Sutherland

December 27, 2024

Don , I loved playing Pickleball with you and I really appreciated the advice you gave my son who is now a midshipman at the Naval Academy. Semper FI my friend . You will be missed .

Charlyn Moltane

December 27, 2024

We are saddened to learn of Don's passing. It is too bad we didn't know about all the things Don did in his life until after he is gone. Knowing he flew F-4s and traveled and taught it would have made interesting topics to bring up and visit about while at the lawn bowling club. I enjoyed bowling with him.

Mitch Mann

December 27, 2024

The last time Don and I played Pickleball, we were matched up against some stronger players. They were kicking our butts. But we got our act together and came back to win. I´m so glad we won our last game together. It was nice way to remember him. Thanks for being a nice and decent person, Don. Thanks for being a good part of my life.

John Montesanti

December 27, 2024

One of the guys who I looked up to ...boy i hope I can be like him...sadly missed but never forgotten...

Alexa Vincent (Alex)

December 27, 2024

Don, I'm in shock and heartbroken. You were my first new friend at pickleball after moving back to So. Cal. post pandemic. I loved playing with you on the courts. We always played hard, laughed hard and WON together. R.I.P. my friend . You will be greatly missed, and I will think of you everytime i play at seal....

Edward Sullivan

December 27, 2024

Edward Sullivan

December 27, 2024

My first reactions was shock and disbelief. WHAT! WHY? ..Why Don? ..Lord, I trust you don´t mind me saying this ..you took the wrong man! We need more Don Garrett not less. Plus...your timing wasn't a good choice. However, I do greatly appreciate time you permitted me to know Don Garrett. Lord, I do believe Don Garrett would rather be playing pickleball with Nacy and his 2.30 group than anywhere else! Once again..I will always treasure time spent with Major Don Garrett..a great person..

Laura Christensen

December 26, 2024

I met Don in the last year or two on the pickleball court. Such a competitor and the nicest man. He started bringing Nancy and the e two became regulars in the pickleball community. RIP, Don. Nancy and all the family, I am sorry for your loss.

Michael Lesniak

December 26, 2024

Best wishes for comfort during this difficult time to the Garrett family. Don was an incredible teammate at Nalco Chemical for 30 years. Don was a great leader, mentor, trainer, and business builder and always did the right thing. Don went the extra 10 miles for anyone in need. I always enjoyed Don´s candor, love of family, and country.

Zack Wilhoit

December 25, 2024

I have a bunch of great pictures of Don (including this one) since we were in the same company and year at the Naval Academy, but I think the picture Nancy picked for the top of this memorial is the best one I have EVER seen to honor him .... !

Tim Harden

December 25, 2024

Don was one of the best teammates on our Navy football team. That´s where I came to really know him and was honored to have called him a friend. In the last 15 years Laurie and I got to travel and get together with Nancy and Don. Just a great person. All our best to Nancy and the family. He will be missed!

Dan Wehrle

December 25, 2024

Don was truly a one of a kind! Had the privilege of going to North Tonawanda with him, playing football with him, working out firstie year in prep for the Marine Corps. Love him mucho.

Ray Korzelius

December 25, 2024

RIP, old friend. Great memories of you busting through the line with the ball firmly tucked away on the playing fields of Vetter Stadium. Coach K

Pat Campbell

December 24, 2024

Hello Nancy and family, our heartfelt condolences. I am thankful to have called him a good friend. The memories are too many to mention from our high school days. I have always treasured the RAGBRAI and other bike rides together over the years. He was such an intelligent multi-talent man that lived life to the fullest.

Cindy Jones

December 24, 2024

My lawnbowling buddy, my friend. Sure going to miss you 'stick man'. I loved all the talks when playing against each other as vices. RiP buddy. So glad I met you

Jon La Rose

December 24, 2024

First game Don played with larger bowls and the stick , pairs. Close game though they were taking the lead, around the 10th end he got it. We took the lead to finish in 14 !
Something to be said when we beat the president and treasurer
Thanks Don

Brian McKnight

December 24, 2024

A Grant School upper class man (for me)like Lou Rizzo says. Always a gentleman, always a friend. RIP DG.

Lou Rizzo

December 24, 2024

My condolences to Dons family. I went to Grant school with Don and we always hung out in our neighborhoods and played a lot of ball together. He was a great guy and very funny. He sure could make me laugh!

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Not sure what to say?

June 12, 2025

Richard Kloch posted to the memorial.

January 10, 2025

Loren Reale posted to the memorial.

January 5, 2025

Russ Donati posted to the memorial.