Thomas Wilson Garnett

Thomas Wilson "Tommy" Garnett Jr., age 73, of McDonough, Georgia passed away on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at his home, surrounded by his family. He was born in Walterboro, South Carolina, the son of Thomas Wilson "Dock" Garnett Sr. and Quillan Denise "Penny" (Rentz) Garnett.

Tommy was a man who lived fully, loved deeply, and gave generously of his time, talents, and heart. A 1969 graduate of Forest Park High School, he attended Career Academy and earned his Associate's Degree in Radio Broadcasting. From 1970-1982, he was a Disc Jockey at WYMB-AM and WTWE-FM in Manning, SC and WABB-AM/FM in Mobile, AL. A proud U.S. Army veteran, he carried his patriotism with unwavering pride. Whether serving his country or serving his neighbors, Tommy approached life with integrity and a deep sense of purpose.

Tommy's hands were rarely still. A skilled carpenter and lifelong handyman, he could build and fix almost anything, and often did, especially for the cherished ladies in "The Village" retirement community and the surrounding neighborhoods. He was the go-to problem solver, always showing up with a tool in one hand and a warm smile.

But it wasn't just his talents with tools that made him unforgettable, it was the way he nurtured those around him. Tommy had a heart for the kitchen and a love for making people feel at home. His pound cakes and cinnamon rolls were legendary, his cookies were always best shared with his grandkids, and his love for grilling and smoking meats made every family gathering feel like a celebration. He gardened with the same care he gave to everything else in life, tending to it patiently and watching it flourish.

Tommy shared more than five decades of marriage with the love of his life, Donna. Together, they built a life filled with laughter, adventure, and quiet moments of joy. Their shared love of traveling and "waterfall hunting" created memories as beautiful as the landscapes they explored. As a father, he raised two strong, successful daughters, Kristy and Jennifer, and delighted in his role as "Pacca" to his grandchildren who were the absolute light of his life.

Attentive, positive, loving, and passionate: These are some of the traits that defined how he lived and how he loved. Long before there was Google, there was "ask Tommy" because he always knew the answers to life's questions. No one was a match for him in any trivia game, he always won. His stories, laughter, and presence will be deeply missed. Tommy lived with intention, made the world better with his hands and heart, and leaves a lasting mark on his family, his community, and all who knew him.

He leaves behind a huge legacy that will continue to live on through his wife, Donna Garnett; daughters, Kristy Reece and Jennifer Holland (Dave), grandchildren: Nick, Karoline ("Punkin' Nose"), Sydney (Brannon), Allison, and Sage; mother, Penny Garnett; siblings, Debby Maddox, Terry (Deanna) Garnett, sisters in-law Wanda Foster and Angela Berry, many nieces, nephews, and extended family members, including numerous close cousins he adored. He was preceded in death by his father, "Dock" Garnett; his in-laws, Al and Louise Berry; a brother in-law, Ed Foster and a son-in-law, Ricky Reece.

A service to honor Tommy's life will take place on Saturday, August 23, 2025, beginning at 3:00 PM in the West Chapel of Cannon Cleveland Funeral Directors. The family will host a time to receive friends from 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM prior to the service at the funeral home. Tommy will be laid to rest at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, GA at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Henry County Veterans Support Group by visiting https://vetsg.org/. Those who wish may sign the online guest registry at www.cannonclevelandfunerals.com. Cannon Cleveland Funeral Directors, 770-914-1414.