Garrett Steele Mountain

Garrett was born and raised in Tallahassee. With a twinkle in his eye and a wicked sense of humor, he was known from a young age for easily sending people into fits of laughter. Garrett participated in the Tallahassee Police Department (TPD) Cadet Program for young people interested in law enforcement. His mentors made a significant impact on his life choices. “Mountain” volunteered and proudly served for 9 years in the United States Marine Corps. He fought in multiple deployments alongside brothers and sisters of his beloved Corps. He saved many lives, both military and civilian, as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Sergeant. This included many civilians in countries along the Pacific Rim, where he disarmed both Vietnam and World War II-era unexploded ordnances. Living up to his middle name, he was indeed “as strong as steel” due to incredible discipline in weight training. His big heart and larger-than-life personality will be remembered by all, especially those with whom he served. He adored his cats, especially ChiChi, who he brought home after his deployment to Okinawa. A creative soul, he openly shared his deepest thoughts and feelings through poetry, art and interpretive dance (kidding on that last one, Garrett!).

Garrett is survived by his parents, Dr. Tim Mountain, DVM, and Wendy Mountain of Tallahassee; his twin sister, Sandra Mountain (Thomas Perryman) of Tallahassee; and his grandparents, Jack Letchworth of Monticello and Thelma Letchworth of Sopchoppy.

He is also survived by his uncles, Mike (Laura) Mountain of Tallahassee, Patrick Mountain of Leesburg, Va., Jay (Charlene) Letchworth of Atlanta, Gary (Janet) Letchworth of Virginia, and Sven Coetzee of Crawfordville; his aunts, Tess Coetzee of Sopchoppy and Linda (Ray) Norlin of Sleepy Hollow, Ill.; his cousins, Kim (Tim) Howes of Tallahassee, Ryan (Melanie) Koppe of Winter Garden, Jack and Joey Coetzee of Sopchoppy, Kira (Wes) Yeary of Alexandria, Va., Erik Norlin (Rommel Famatid) of Chicago, Megan Norlin of Redondo Beach, Calif., Brad Norlin of Sleepy Hollow, Ill., Viktor Letchworth of Atlanta, Chelsea Letchworth of Fairfax, Va., Nikki (Joe) Ehrenreich of Atlanta, Kelly (Dean) Lorentz of Atlanta, and Brian Harris of Pittsburgh; and a special friend, Beca Maqueira Brewster and her children, Xavi and Mia, all of Tallahassee. He was preceded in death by a beloved cousin who was like a brother and followed him into military service, Russell Mountain of Tallahassee; his aunts, Marsha Koppe of Tallahassee and Lee Ann Harris of Tallahassee; his grandparents, Robert and Iris Mountain of Tallahassee; and countless members of the armed military services with whom he bravely served.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, December 2, at 2:00 p.m. at Culley’s MeadowWood Timberlane Road Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his memory be sent to the EOD Warrior Foundation at https://EODWarriorFoundation.org or 716 Crestview Avenue, Niceville, FL 32578.

Semper Fi, Til Valhalla, and Never Forgotten.