Obituary of Carter F. Garrett, Jr.

Carter F. Garrett, Jr., went peacefully to our Lord Wednesday, October 31, 2018, following a brief illness.

Born on Christmas Eve in Bristol, Va., to Carter F. Garrett, Sr. and Mildred Lowry Garrett, he grew up in the Cleveland community of Washington County, Va.  As a teenager he drove the family owned bus for the Cleveland Community Schools.  A lifelong professional in the insurance industry, he began the Garrett Insurance Agency in Abingdon, Va., and worked with Blue Cross Blue Shield becoming the CEO of the company in Roanoke, Va.  Upon his retirement from Blue Cross, he began a brokerage/consulting insurance firm which became Employee Benefits Management, Inc.  He was a past president of both the local and state National Association of Health Underwriters chapters and an active member of the legislative council.

He took great pride in being a past member of the Lions Club of Abingdon, Va., a founding member of the Washington County Rescue Squad, founding member of the Blue Ridge Independent Living Center, coaching young people in various sports, and Eagle Scout and Scoutmaster.

Carter was predeceased by his parents; son, Thomas Gregory Garrett and stepson, David Michael Macdonald.

He is survived by his wife, Kathleen Yount Macdonald Garrett; children, Carol Ann Smith (Bryan) of Salem, Va., Carter F. “Frank” Garrett, III (Teresa) of Fincastle, Va., Allen Garrett of Vero Beach, FL; stepdaughters, Mary Macdonald of Elgin, SC, and Janette Merrill (David) of Sterling, Va.; grandchildren, Emily Smith, Carter F. “Frank” Garrett, IV, Marie Deel (Michael), Brandon Garrett, Tommy Garrett, Stephanie Syprzak (Adam), Spenser Garrett; step grandchildren, Andrew Maynor (Ashley), Matthew Maynor (Mary), Colin Shaffer and Colson Merrill; great-grandchildren, Lillian Deel, Ezra Deel, Addison Syprzak and Oliver Maynor; siblings, Jim Garrett (Anne) of Sandy, Utah, D.E. “Gene” Garrett (Agnes) of Crossville, Tenn., Patty Testerman of Statesville, NC, and Linda Reed (Parvon) of Bristol, Tenn.; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to express their appreciation for the exceptional and compassionate care he received from Karen Stone of Wellmont CVA Heart Institute, and the doctors and staff of Bristol Regional Medical Center.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, November 2, 2018, at Frost Funeral Home, Abingdon, Va.  A service will be held on Saturday, November 3^rd, at 1 p.m. at the Abingdon United Methodist Church, 101 East Main St., Abingdon, Va., with Rev. Dr. Robert Countiss and Rev. Glenn Patterson officiating. 

An additional visitation will be held in Roanoke, Va., on Sunday, November 4^th from 1 to 3 p.m. at Simpson Funeral Home & Crematory.  Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Washington County Rescue Squad, Abingdon United Methodist Church or an organization of your choice.