Carl Wendell Garrett

Carl Wendell Garrett, 77, of Sylva's Locust Creek community died peacefully Wednesday, Oct. 4, at his home surrounded by loved ones. At his request no formal services will be held.

He retired from Champion International Paper Company in Canton after 42 years of service. A native of Waynesville, N.C., he was a professional photographer and original owner of Carl Garrett Photography.

A proud U.S. Veteran he served as a sharp shooter in the Army and in the N.C. National Guard. Several of his military buddies referred to him as “that soldier you want in your foxhole with you.” When his oldest son was stationed in Afghanistan he sent him care packages which Carl Jr. shared with his battle buddies.

A forever soldier and gun enthusiast, he also possessed a kind, gentle and loving nature that attracted both people and animals. He enjoyed growing hot jalapeno peppers and cool cucumbers. He was a talented guitar player, loved music of all genre and was an avid Balsam Range and Darren Nicholson fan. He was also an avid NASCAR fan. He enjoyed traveling out west, including on his gold wing motorcycle. When his health allowed he delighted in volunteering with the Cherokee Talking Trees Children's Trout Derby. He inherited his father's skill to design, create, build or repair just about anything. He also inherited the “Garrett dimples” and enjoyed the kinship of his Garrett cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Boone and Bonnie Mills Garrett.

Surviving is his wife and high school sweetheart, Rosamunde “Rose” Hooper Garrett of the home. A true love story come full circle, they were high school sweethearts in 1962 at Waynesville Township High School. When the military called them both in different directions they went separate ways, married another, both later divorcing. Forty-four years later fate reconnected them and that romantic spark of their youth. October 1 they celebrated their 17th wedding anniversary.

Also surviving are three sons, Carl Wendell (Lana) Garrett Jr. of Dumfries, Va., Nathan Stuart (Nancy) Garrett of Trenton, Ga. and Charles Lyle Greer of the home; one daughter, Wendy Yvonne (Philip Jr.) Stubblefield of Arden, N.C.; one brother Gerald (Juanita) Garrett of Waynesville; two nephews Bryan (Donna) Garrett and Casey Holder and two nieces Cynthia Knight and Caryn (Tomas) Holder Luley; a sister-in-law he loved like a little sister, Marsha (Hank) Holder of Sylva; 12 grandchildren; best friends Billy Mease of Canton and Perry McClure of Clyde; supportive neighbors Johnny and Joyce Brooks, Lee and Brenda Ewart, Margie Arrwood and his “Locust Creek Sweethearts” Machelle Samuel and Judy Bumgarner and his health care angel, Jocelyn Francis of Skyland Rehabilitation Center.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.garrettfuneralsandcremations.com for the Garrett family.