James "Tom" Thomas Garrett

Tom Garrett James Thomas “Tom” Garrett, age 75, a resident of Clinton, MS, died at his summer home in Waynesville, NC on June 25, 2015 from complications of diabetes. A native of Haywood County, NC he was the eldest son of the late James B. and Alma Stephens Garrett. Tom was a 1957 graduate of Waynesville Township High School. He graduated in 1964 from Clemson College with a BS degree in Horticulture and in 1966 graduated from Clemson University with a MS degree in Horticulture. He worked as Extension state vegetable specialist, and for 15 years served as department head of the Cooperative Extension Department of Horticulture at Mississippi State University. He returned to Clemson University to serve as coordinator of a tri-state project (SC, GA, and NC) for alternative horticultural crops. In 2002, he retired from NC State University as Superintendent at the Sandhills Research Station. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Linda Boone Garrett; daughter, Lenora Garrett Bigler and husband, Steven, Clinton, MS, granddaughters, Laura Elizabeth and Lindsay Grace Bigler, Clinton, MS; son Samuel Thomas Garrett, and wife, Michele, Fort Wayne, IN; brothers, Doyle Garrett and wife, Wanda, of Knoxville, TN, and Steve Garrett and wife, Shirley of Waynesville, NC. A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 3, at 3 pm at Francis Cove United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pleasant Balsam Baptist Church (P.O. Box 162 Balsam, NC 28707) or Francis Cove United Methodist Church (P.O. Box 848, Waynesville, NC 28786). Garrett Funeral Home of Waynesville is in charge of arrangements. For those who desire, an online memorial register is available at www.garrettfuneralsandcremations.com.