John "Jack" R. Garrett

John "Jack" R. Garrett, age 104, of Wabash, Indiana, formerly of Fort Wayne and Rome City, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Monday, September 30, 2024. He was born May 18, 1920 in Fort Wayne, to the late Ralph and Angela (née Roy) Garrett. Jack matriculated from North Side High School, Class of '38 and would enlist in the United States Navy in July 1941; stationed in the South Pacific during World War II as a Shipfitter First Class on the USS St. Louis, USS Solomons, and USS Seminole. During his service he received the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with 6 Stars, European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, American Defense Service Medal, Naval Good Conduct Medal and World War II Victory Medal. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor his ship, The USS St Louis, was the first deployed from harbor. Jack was honorably discharged in November 1945 at the U.S. Naval Personnel Separation Center in Great Lakes, Illinois. After his discharge, he would meet and later marry the late, Rita Ann Freistroffer, on June 1, 1946 and from this union, three children were born. Jack spent his career and was a seventy-six year Member of Local 166, Plumbers and Steamfitters Union retiring in 1984. He was past president of the Rome City Lion's Club, and during his time would travel to San Miguel, El Salvador as part of the Lion's Eye Project outfitting more than 2,000 pairs of eyeglasses. Jack was also an eighty year member of the American Legion Post 381 in Rome City, where he proudly served in the Honor Guard and earned the designation of the oldest active member serving until the age of 103. He was a thirty-three year member of the Societe Des 40 Hommes et 8 Chevaux, member of the Kendallville VFW Post 2749, past president of the Rome City Chamber of Commerce, past member of the Rome City Park Board, past officer and member of the Rome City Cottage Owner's Association, member of St Gaspar del Bufalo Catholic Church of Rome City, and proudly served as an Indiana Bicentennial Torchbearer in 2016. Jack is survived by his children, Dianne Markiton, Anita Leland and Chuck (Kathy) Garrett; grandchildren, Amelia (née Markiton) and Ed McCarthy, Carla (née Markiton) and Tracey Hughes, Sarah Markiton, Walt (Kenda) Garrett, Jon (Jen) Garrett, Thom (Emily) Garrett, and Paula (née Leland) and Rick Holmes; twenty-two great grandchildren; eighteen great-great grandchildren and three on the way; sister, Betty Tilbury; brother, Bob Garrett; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Vern Leland; and great-grandson, Adam McCarthy. Funeral Service is 12 PM, Monday, October 7 at D.O. McComb & Sons Funeral Homes - Lakeside Park, 1140 Lake Avenue with calling one hour prior. Friends and family will also be received on Sunday, October 6 from 2 to 5 PM at the funeral home, with a Recitation of the Rosary at 4:30 PM. Interment at Catholic Cemetery, Fort Wayne with full military honors. Memorial Contributions may be directed to American Legion Post 381 or St Gaspar del Bufalo Catholic Church. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared below for the Garrett families.