Fred Louis Garrett

Fred Louis Garrett, 89, passed peacefully from this life on June 5, 2020. Services have been entrusted to the care of Advantage Funeral Service and a private family celebration of Fred’s life will be held on Monday, June 8, 2020. Public visitation will be held on Sunday from 1pm-6pm. Fred’s celebration of life will be livestreamed on facebook live on Monday, June 8th at 10am at the link below. A video of the service will also be available on our facebook page following the service. https://www.facebook.com/advantageokc/

Fred was born on November 13, 1930 to Frank and Shirley (Maples) Garrett in Oklahoma City. He was raised in OKC and graduated from Capitol Hill High School. He then went on to achieve an Associates of Business degree. While at church, Mary Whitson noticed a handsome young man playing the piano. He chased her until she caught him. They married in 1951 and they spent 62 years together before her passing in 2013. In the mid 1950’s Fred accepted a position at Morris Chevrolet in OKC. He spent 5 decades serving as the Investment Manager for the dealership before retiring in 1995. “Fast Freddy” as he was known, did everything with excellence and expedience. This made him a natural choice as a Walmart greeter. Fred worked at the Walmart Store in Moore and his friendly smile and caring demeanor made him a local favorite to many of his customers. He continued working as a greeter until his health forced him into retirement.

Fred was a selfless man with a servant’s heart. Fred was active in his community and was a 35+year member of the Downtown Lions Club. He also served as the president of his neighborhood’s homeowner association. Fred enjoyed playing golf and was a longtime member and past president of Willow Creek, formerly Hillcrest Golf and Country Club. He also sang in a local barbershop quartet with his C.H.U.M. buddies.

Fred’s faith and his family were the cornerstones of his life. He served others with his gift of a beautiful tenor voice, and as the Music Director and Treasurer at Capitol Hill United Methodist Church. He taught Sunday school for many years and would do any job that the church needed to be done. He was often times the person who opened the church and locked up when the last person left. Fred was an authentic follower of Jesus Christ and he modeled grace and unconditional love to everyone around him.

Fred’s family was always his priority. From the day that he married Mary until the day she passed away, Fred did everything he could to pamper and serve his wife. One of his daughter’s best memories of their childhood was their yearly trip to Six Flags. Fred had the family at the park from dawn to dusk under the premise that he was doing this for his kids, but his family knew the truth, Fred loved riding the rollercoasters. The family was also fortunate to travel to Maui to visit their Uncle Robert who was planting the first Methodist Church on the island. Fred adored his grandchildren and always looked forward to trying to wow them with his annual Christmas decorating extravaganza, which was usually visible from blocks away.

He was the most impatient, patient man you’ve ever met. He loved to play games and dominos, but he always played to win. He used his higher than normal intelligence that he gained by doing math problems with his Grandmother for fun as a young boy. Fred was also passionate about his love for the OU Sooners. He was a 55 yr. season ticket holder. He was well known in his neighborhood for jumping on his bike with his OU flags attached and riding through the streets honking his bike horn each time the Sooner’s scored. Fred brought a tremendous amount of joy and encouragement to those around him and he will truly be missed.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Shirley Garrett, his wife of 62 years, Mary Garrett, his in-laws Perry and Ruth Whitson, sister-in-law Margaret Montgomery, and three brothers-in-law: JT Whitson, Ronnie Whitson, and Crawford Whitson.

Left behind to carry on Fred’s legacy of selfless service are his three children: Debra Louise Holden and husband Arch, Vicki Ann Rigsby and husband Ray, and Fred Louis Garrett Jr and wife Linda; a brother Jim Garrett and wife Lynda; seven grandchildren: Ryan Rigsby, Brandie Ferguson and husband Mike, Amber Hoff and husband Jeremy, David Holden and wife Jocelyn, Heather Holden and fiancé Eric Avery, Angela Pratt and husband Andrew, and Justin Garrett; great grandchildren: Alslynn Garrett, Bobby Ferguson, Gavin Hoff, Knight Holden, Jimmy Ferguson, Harrison Holden, Alyvia Hoff, Gracie Ferguson, Ezekiel Holden, Madison Pratt, Jude Holden, Paisley Pratt, Maggie Ferguson, Daniel Holden, Codi Pratt, Hartlee Rigsby, and an unborn great granddaughter Ferguson. He is also survived by sisters-in-law: Mary Alice Whitson, Trish Ryan, Brothers-in-law Rayburn Whitson and wife Carolyn, and Rev. Robert Montgomery; as well as numerous other beloved family members.

The family would like to thank Rambling Oaks Courtyard for the loving care they showed Fred over the past few years.