In Memory

Harold Garrett (Teacher)

April 29, 1928 - February 11, 2009


Harold Garrett - BLOOMINGTON - Harold Gene Garrett, 80, Bloomington, passed away at 12:18 p.m. Wednesday (Feb. 11, 2009) at Heritage Manor of Bloomington, surrounded by family and friends.

His visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday at Kibler-Smith Memorial Home, Bloomington. An open house/celebration of Harold's life will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at IBEW 197, 2407 Beich Road, Bloomington, where family and friends are invited to come share memories of Harold. Harold will be cremated.

Harold was born April 29, 1928, in Saybrook, a son of Robert and Della Carter Garrett. He married Diane Dexter on Jan. 28, 1950. She passed away on July 1, 1993. He then married Dorothy Opperman DeMoss on Sept. 10, 1994. She survives. 

 
He is survived by four children, Gene (Becky) Garrett, Arizona; Donny (Laurie) Garrett and Rich (Penny) Garrett, both of Bloomington; and Julie Garrett, Normal; two stepdaughters, Tammy (Terry) McEnany, Loveland, Color., and Christy DeMoss, St. Louis, Mo.; six grandchildren, Kelli Rewerts, Cory Garrett, Shane Garrett, Kristi Garrett, Cameron Garrett and Taylor Garrett; three stepgrandchildren; and seven stepgreat-grandchildren; his brother, Robert Garrett; two sisters, Mary Sieg and Irene Fulkerson; three half brothers, John, Rollin and Floyd; half sister, Sharon Vawter; and two stepsisters, Lucille Drum and Louise Schmidt.

He was preceded in death by his grandson, Joey Garrett. He was also preceded in death by two half sisters, two stepbrothers and a stepsister.

Harold graduated from Bloomington High School in 1946. While in high school, Harold played football, basketball and tennis. He qualified for the 1945 state tournament in tennis. He graduated from Illinois State Normal University in 1951 and received his master's degree from ISU in 1961. He was associated with education from 1951 to 1991. He began his teaching career in 1951 in Peoria Heights. He began teaching with Bloomington public schools in 1952 at Bent Junior High School, where he taught P.E. When the three junior high schools merged, he moved to Bloomington Junior High School and taught P.E. and health and coached football, wrestling and track. In 1964, he was promoted to assistant principal at the junior high school. In 1970, he became assistant principal of Bloomington High School. In 1980, he became principal of Sheridan Elementary School.

In 1960, Harold started the Bloomington Junior High School wrestling program. In 1985, he started the Olympia Junior High School wrestling program and served as an assistant coach and substitute teacher with Olympia High School from 1984 to 1991. Harold continued long after his coaching days to donate his time to work wrestling tournaments at U-High and Olympia High School. He was inducted into the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Hall of Fame in 2004.

Harold was an avid fisherman and hunter. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren grow up.

Donations may be made to Passages Hospice Services; Bloomington High School Athletic Department; or Olympia High School Athletic Department in Harold's memory.

The family would like to thank the staff of Heritage Manor of Bloomington, Passages Hospice Services, his hospice nurse Paul and all of the CNA's who helped Harold during his final days.

Harold, Dad, Grandpa, HG, Mr. G., Coach, you were loved by many and will be missed by all who knew you. Until we meet again, enjoy the fishing.






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