Gerald Vincent Garrett

Gerald Vincent Garrett, 77, of Yucca Valley, California, left us on June 14, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of humor, love, and unforgettable memories.

He was charming, hilarious, and always the life of every room, cookout, gas station, or line at the DMV (yes, he made friends there too). A people person to his core, he had an uncanny ability to make you feel like family even if you had just met - and sometimes even if you wished you hadn't.

Gerald never passed up a chance to crack a joke, make you laugh, or answer the phone like the CEO of a modeling agency:

"Good Looking Incorporated, can I help you?"

And if you were one of his daughters, you were probably greeted with,

"Good morning, UgMo."

He was a proud father of six and never missed an opportunity to both love and roast his children:

- Jeffrey Garrett, married to Stacy Garrett (his "responsible child" - and a comedian in his own right)

- Alicia Robertson, married to Deitric Robertson (who was clearly his favorite if you ask her - and only her)

- Alana Garrett, lovingly known as Lonnie Bug, who preceded him in death and is undoubtedly already reunited with him - both probably laughing at us from above

- Gerald Garrett, married to Jacqueline Garrett (his namesake, who got both the name and the stubbornness)

- Somalya Sanders, married to LaRon Sanders (UgMo 1 - who finally got the degree you told her to get)

- Genesis Taren, married to Eric Taren (UgMo 2) - the two self-proclaimed comedic duo of the family. Between them, there was never a dull moment. They kept their dad laughing - sometimes at them, but mostly with them.

He was the BarB-Que King, the guy manning the grill with tongs in one hand and a totally off-topic story in the other. He made it his life's mission to confuse us with names of people we didn't know ("You remember Larry, right?" No. No we don't, Dad).

A skilled handyman, Gerald could fix almost anything (or at least make you believe he could). He had a deep love for tools and was known for generously gifting them - especially to his daughters, because, as he saw it, every girl needs a good socket set.

He was famous for piling the kids into his old blue van - not just for errands or drives around town, but for full-blown camping trips. No itinerary, no GPS, just Gerald and a van full of kids headed for adventure (or at least somewhere with a decent fire pit).

And every so often, he'd remind us that when he won the lottery, he'd pay us all back. We're still waiting on those numbers, Dad.

He also leaves behind his siblings:

Keith Garrett, Constance Garrett Peggy Garrett, Brenda Fleming, Lisa Nevels, Gina Joiner, Marcus Garrett, and his stepbrothers Bert and Joseph Williams - each of whom surely has their own stash of wild Gerald stories.

He is also survived by a host of grandkids, a few great-grandkids, nieces, nephews, and more family and friends than we can count - some related by blood, others by barbecue.

He may be gone, but we know for sure he left behind a driveway full of cars in various stages of repair, a mysterious collection of tools,

an empty bottle of Wild Turkey and at least one half-drunk can of Budweiser.

In Gerald's honor, wear your half-buttoned shirt, fire up the grill, tell a long, confusing story, and answer the phone like you're too good-looking for words.

He made the world a funnier, warmer, and more unforgettable place - and we will carry his stories, laughter, and love with us always.