Tom Royce Garrett
Wednesday, November 13, 1935
Date of Death:
Wednesday, June 9, 2021
Age:
85 years old
Memorial Gathering
Date: Friday June 18, 2021
Time: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]
Wednesday, November 13, 1935
Date of Death:
Wednesday, June 9, 2021
Age:
85 years old
Wednesday, November 13, 1935
Date of Death:
Wednesday, June 9, 2021
Age:
85 years old
Tom Royce Garrett
Tom Royce Garrett, 85, of Rocheseter died Wednesday, June 9, 2021, surrounded by family at St Mary’s Hospital in Rochester.
He was born in Franklin, NE on November 13, 1935, to Francis Marie (Harwood) and Clifford Lee Garrett They moved around some but settled back in Franklin where he graduated from High School in 1954. Tom was a natural athlete and played football, basketball, baseball, and track. After graduation he went to Hastings College in Hastings, NE where he also played football. While there, he met and married Jacquelyn Ann (Lang) Garrett on September 1, 1957. After graduating from college, Tom, Jacque, and their new daughter moved to MN where he would enter the Mayo Clinic School of Physical Therapy program. A son joined the family in 1961.
After graduation, he was hired as an instructor at the PT school and was a respected educator, making many friends along the way. He loved teaching and continued until his retirement in 1998. He achieved the academic appointment level of assistant professor of Physical Therapy in the Mayo Clinic School of Health Related Sciences. He was the Associate Director from 1986-1998. He was honored to be a representative at both the MN and Nat’l APTA. He was also a representative on the MN State Medical Advisory Board of Physical Therapy.
Tom was a member of Sertoma 700, Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, and the Republican Party.
Tom grew up tinkering with cars and that remained a lifelong passion culminating with the showing of his 1946 Chevy Sedan Delivery “Purple Pride” at area car shows. He was a diehard Vikings fan and rarely missed a game. As an avid hunter, he made annual trips to Nebraska and South Dakota to bird hunt. He also hunted white tail deer, elk, and antelope in several other states. Hunting and fishing in Alaska were one of the favorite trips. He rarely missed a fishing opener and fished the Mississippi regularly.
Summers found Tom and Jacque boating, camping, and water skiing on the river. They enjoyed hosting parties at the river, at the cabin in Wabasha, or hog roasts at their hobby farm in Rochester. Sometimes surprise guests might show up, “Jeremiah Josky & Miss Jacque”.
Tom loved all genres of music and shared that with his children and grandchildren, as well as his other passions. He enjoyed watching their sports, and their school and church programs. He loved having them come to the farm so he could teach them what he knew.
Tom is survived by his daughter, Christine Garrett Kern; daughter-in-law, Teresa Monson Garrett; grand and great-grandchildren, Chelsamarie Garrett Kern (Brian Mix), Christopher Wm Kern, Heather Jacquelyn Garrett, Branden Alan Monson, Aynslea Jacquelyn Kern, Tyler Brian Mix, Arian, Gabby, and Joey Monson.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Jacque and son, Michael Lee Garrett.
The Memorial Gathering will be from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, June 18, 2021 in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home in Rochester, MN. Private interment will be held at a later date.
Special thanks and appreciation to the staff at Weatherstone Senior Living and St Croix and Mayo Hospice.
When asked what he would like put in his obit, he responded, “Tell them the old man died”.
Condolences
The family of Tom Royce Garrett has received the following condolences.
So sorry to hear. Always enjoyed are meetings and his stories. Enjoy the Woods of Heaven.
Chris,
Please know that I am so sorry that your father has died, although we both know that he is finally at peace and with no pain, it is hard to loose one's father, no matter what the circumstances. Please accept my condolences. I am sorry that I may not be able to come to the Memorial Gathering, as I must be with a friend for 24 hours after she has surgery this morning. There will be a couple cards coming in the future and I am sure we will be seeing each other before long.
Lovingly,
Ellen Dahl
I was fortunate to be in the infamous Forty Strong Class of '69, in the Mayo PT School. We were the first class up to that point to graduate all 40 classmates who started the two-year program together. Under the leadership of Gordon Branes and Tom Garrett, we graduated one of the best, closest classes, thanks to our great teachers. We had a great time those two years and have Gordy, Tom, Al Shufelt and the rest to thank for it. Nice to think of Gordy and Tom being reunited in heaven. Our entire class wishes for Tom a safe passage.
Sending our prayers and love to your family. We are so sorry to hear the sad news. Tom and Jacque set such a wonderful example of what love was all about.
My sympathy to the Garrett Family members. I met and knew Tom at the Mayo Medical Center (MMC). A good man and a man of many talents, God Bless.
He will be missed by you all. I am so glad his pain is over.
Oh my, what memories we shared. It was nice to go out to eat with Tom, since he loved Chinese food and Mexican food, almost as much as I do. I am glad that he enjoyed country western music and blues music and could usually make it to where there was music playing with very little notice needed! Although Tom was a serious fisherman and really prided himself on his catch, I am glad he tolerated my "redneck gear" and fishing for fun outings with him. Since I grew up working on cars and tractors with my dad, it was fun working on Purple Pride with him and tinkering with him on some other projects. Sometimes, we didn't get much done because Tom would in a storytelling mode or we would get to laughing and telling "remember when" stories. Going to the "Rendezvous" and fixing meals over the open campfire will always be some cherished memories. It was memorable and an honor to be one of his kids...even if it were for just a couple decades.
Fly with the angels, dear friend, and have fun catching up with all those you have missed so much and ached to see, again.
Love and hugs to his family.
I did a bit of welding for Tom on his mower and on his car. It was fun to get to know him. We had a lot in common in our love of old cars, fixing things ourselves and having a nice lawn to host parties on. (We, also, both loved watching the Vikings play and fishing.)
I send my sympathy to his family. Chris, I am glad I got to meet your dad and call him friend.
I extend my condolences to Tom's family. I am so glad, I was able to get to know Tom and share in his love and pride of family. We both missed our spouses and were bugged by our bodies not allowing us to do what we wanted to do. We shared that getting older has some rough bumps in the road...that makes one very humble.
I send special hugs to his daughter, Chris. Tom knew how very special she was to me and that he just had to share her. (He told me, that he could do that!)
Our family will miss him. I know he is going to talk cars with my husband, in heaven and how the old cars will always be the best.
My husband John Scheid who just passed away in February was a good friend of Toms. They were Sertomans together and also fishing buddies. They were often roommates together on their Canadian fishing trips. We attended many of their pig roasting parties. He and Jacque were great hosts. Tom was well liked and will be missed by many. I like to think about Tom and John fishing together in Heaven and enjoying a cold one. RIP Tom