Obituary: Floyd Randall Garrett

As received from the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home:

Floyd Randall Garrett, (92¼) of Calumet passed away peacefully on April 12, 2024, at Canal View with his loving daughter and son-in-law by his side. Floyd was born November 26, 1931, in Eglon, West Virginia to the late Randall and Jenny (Bennett) Garrett. He was the 2nd of six born and the last of his siblings to pass away. After school Floyd worked on his parents’ farm. On March 18, 1952, he enlisted in the Air Force. His enlistment turned out to be his 20-year career in Culinary Services. In August 1952 he was stationed by boat overseas to Neubibert and Landstuhl AB, Germany. There he met his true love, “Fraulein” Theresia Krohan. After their year and a half of courtship they were married on June 7, 1955, in Giebelstadt, Germany. There they had their first child Betty (Garrett) Antilla. In 1956 Floyd was stationed back to the US to Dow AFB, Maine leaving his wife and daughter behind in Germany until two years later when they were all reunited in the US. On October 24, 1957, they had their 2^nd child John Floyd Garrett in Bangor Maine. Floyd was preceded in death by his wife Theresia, April 7^th, 2005, and son John Floyd June 26, 1961, and all is sibling’s Roy Garrett, Vonda Mullenax, George Garrett, Erma Mae Black and Palma Garrett.

From September 1961 – 1964, he was stationed at McCoy AFB, Orlando, Florida. There he received orders to be stationed back to Germany. Floyd and Theresia were delighted to go back to Germany and spend time with her side of the family for the next three and half years. In 1971 Floyd was sent for a full year without his family once again TDY to Thailand. Floyd retired in 1972 after his last 4-year hitch at the Calumet Radar Base. In 1974 he went back to work at the Calumet Radar Base as a Civilian, being a painter, the 1^st summer then became Culinary Chef at the AB. In 1982 he retired from the Civil Service and began really enjoying full retirement.

Floyd was an exceptional husband, father, grandpa, and great grandpa, fondly known as Grandpa Garrett. He loved surprising and teasing his grandkids and others. He shared many hobbies with his family such as gardening, fishing, sunsets with Theresia, cooking, hunting, woodwork, electrical, plumbing and mechanics. He was a great caregiver taking care of his wife at their home until her end. When the grandkids needed something fixed Grandpa Garrett would fix it, they’d say “if Grandpa can’t fix it no one can”. He had an infectious smile, being called a big teddy bear. Floyd loved animals. Throughout life there was always a dog in the home. He raised four black labs during his life naming each one the same name “Ben”.

He was hardworking and a good provider, taking on two jobs at times to get ahead. He loved helping others whether he knew them or not. With his numerous talents he loved carpentry was his favorite. He practically built the camp in Bootjack that turned out to be the home for his daughter and son-in-law for the last 20 years.

Floyd was a great mentor and leader for all his families. He believed in both soft and tough love put together makes for a well-balanced honest upbringing. He was well known for his baking and cooking. Especially pies, cinnamon rolls, carrot cakes and soups. You name it, he’d make it and in huge quantities!

His last 5 years limited him doing the physical talents he loved. Before Covid hit in 2020, he was in hospice at Canal View for a year and recovered so well he went back home to live on his own for the last four years until his bad fall March 4^th, 2024, breaking his artificial hip. While in Canal View, he got into puzzle building and was called the Puzzle Master there.

Floyd is survived by his daughter Betty Antilla (Bob Wareham). Three Grandchildren Kevin Antilla of Calumet, Kristin Cirino (Mike) of Hillman, Michigan, and Karmen Antilla of Orlando, Florida. Six Great Grandchildren, Brandon Antilla, Brevin Antilla, Braylinn Antilla, Briana
Antilla, Giuliana Cirino and Maddex Cirino and numerous nieces and nephews in WV. He never made it to be Great Great Grandpa as he had hoped for.

Long before he passed, he said to thank the following for being a big and special part of his life. Betty (Carl) Fint, his niece that hosted him on vacations at their beautiful home in WV. Jill Habinsky of Body Mechanics who checked on him regularly and brought him goodies and gifts. Loretta Sutinen, his caring neighbor who cooked, cleaned, and ran errands for him. Dr. McConnon who went far above and beyond to care for him. Special friends Clayton Antilla, former son-in-law of 20 years and Julie (Linn) Antilla former grand-daughter-in-law of 25 years.

Family and friends may call Friday, April 19th, 10am – 11am at the Erickson Crowley Funeral Home in Calumet. Funeral and Military rites to follow. Officiating will be Pastor Soren Schmidt of Holy Trinity Lutheran in Chassell & Pastor Jared Howard of Faith Lutheran Church in Calumet. Floyd will be laid to rest beside his wife in the Lakeview Cemetery.

The Erickson-Crowley-Peterson Funeral Home will be assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.ericksoncrowleypeterson.com.