Clyde Richard Garrett, Jr.

Clyde Richard “Dick” Garrett, Jr., 82, passed away suddenly on July 11, 2025. Dick is survived by his son, Richard Coleman Garrett and his daughter in law, Renee Garrett, his daughter, Julie Garrett Rudy of Smithfield, and his son in law Kevin Rudy. Dick will be missed by his four grandchildren, Brittany, Wade, Morgan, and Nick, and his one great grandchild, Thomas. He is also survived by his sister, Betty Garrett Cuthrell and several nephews, a niece, cousins and other extended family, all whom he loved dearly. Dick was preceded in death by his wife, Marsha Leake Garrett, his parents, Clyde Richard Garrett, Sr. and Hazel Quinn Garrett, his uncle, Dr. Carlton Moseley, his sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Allan “Sonny” Diedrich, brother-in-law, Charlie Cuthrell, as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and pets.

Dick was a graduate of Warwick High School, class of 1962. He worked as a designer at Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS), leaving for job opportunities in Florida and Colorado and returning to North Carolina to work at Asheville Industries, an NNS subsidiary. Dick made many lifelong friends whom he considered brothers at Asheville Industries. He continued to enjoy talking with them and visiting long after he left NC. After a job transfer, he returned to NNS and settled in Smithfield, VA. He retired from NNS a few years later and then worked at Gibbs and Cox, Inc. Dick was also a veteran of the U.S. Army Reserves, serving 6 years. Dick had a passion for volunteering, serving First Christian Church in Lakeland, FL, Asheville First Christian Church, in Asheville, NC, and First Christian Church in Hampton, VA. His many roles included chairman of the board, choir member, founder of The Welcome Table, building manager, Sunday school teacher, substitute clergy and many, many more roles throughout the years. Additionally, he served Avery’s Creek Christian Church in Arden, NC as primary minister.

Dick enjoyed spending time with family, collecting and building train villages, refinishing furniture, fishing, and helping family with various projects. He could do anything from drawings to electrical, piping to painting. If you wanted something measured precisely, he was your man. We often joked with him about everything being perfectly square. Speaking of jokes, he was the OG dad joke master. He had bad jokes, bits, and riddles that he used on everyone from friends to family and mostly with the grandkids. He had funny phrases that were old family sayings that his children and grandchildren use as a “light roast”. A lot of laughs were shared with Dick. He was always willing to help any and everyone. His missing presence has left a hole in our hearts.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 1, 2025, at 11:00AM, at First Christian Church, Hampton, VA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests consideration for a donation to First Christian Church in Hampton, VA in Dick’s honor. Online condolences may be registered at www.littlesfuneralhome.com