Ted Able Garrett

Ted Able Garrett

April 27, 2023

COLUMBUS CITY-Ted Able Garrett, age 98, of Columbus City, Iowa, died on Thursday, April 27, 2023 at Addington Place of Muscatine. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at the United Presbyterian Church, Columbus Junction, with visitation from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m., prior to the service at the church. Burial with military honors will take place in Columbus City Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the United Presbyterian Church in his memory. Online condolences may be left at www.bentleyfuneralhome.com.

Ted A. Garrett married Ruth Roberta "Bert" Reed on March 7, 1946, and together they traveled around the world, multiple times, crisscrossing the United States in their travels.

Upon graduation from High School Ted enlisted in the U.S. Navy and fought in the South Pacific during WW II as a top-turret gunner of a Ventura PV-1. At the close of WW II, he spent a brief time as a civilian operating a gas station near his father's farm, farming, and factory work. Realizing civilian life was not for him he re-enlisted in the Army-Air Force that later became the U.S. Air Force. His military career took him and his family around the world. Retiring in 1967, he, and the family returned to make their home in Iowa.

Ted's middle name is spelled two ways, the first; Abel is the name on his birth certificate and is the same as his father's middle and his great grandfather's first name. He changed the spelling of his middle name when he entered the military after a disagreement with his father about family chores. He felt that if he were able to do everyone's chores he would change his name to reflect that.

After retiring from the military, he worked for the City of Columbus Junction, the Burlington Ordinance plant, and Hon Industries before retiring full time. He was actively involved with the United Presbyterian Church. Ted enjoyed going to the "old folks home" (Colonial Manor) with "Bert" to call Bingo.

He taught his children independence and gave them daily reminders on environmental issues as he shouted "Shut the damn door" and "Turn off the damn lights." His willingness to tackle most anything head on is shared with his children Bruce and Kathy (Phillips) Garrett, Brian and Luann (Staley) Garrett, Tonya (Garrett) Powers, and Brad and Jane (Norton) Garrett; 7 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren.

This last trip is a little further, where his wife, Ruth Roberta "Bert", his mother, Laura A. (LaMason) and his father Frank A. "Pappy" Garrett, his siblings Ruby, Hazel, Robert "Bud", Charles "Chuck", Phyllis and brothers Max and Neal, who died in infancy, will greet him. Also waiting to welcome him are his maternal grandparents Anna I. (Pahl) and Julian E. LaMason, and his paternal grandparents Elizabeth E. (Knaub) and George W. Garrett, all who preceded him. Rest in Peace.