Submitted by Cheney Witt Funeral Home
Kenneth “Kenny” Charles Garrett, age 69, a resident of Horseshoe Bend, Ark., passed away Wednesday, March 29, 2017, at the Baxter Regional Medical Center in Mountain Home, Ark., following a short battle with cancer.
He was born December 16, 1947, in Pontiac, Mich., the son of Chester Lee Garrett and Thelma Marie (Barber) Garrett. Ken grew up in Garland, Kan., and joined the United States Navy in 1967 as a Navy Seabee. He served two tours in Vietnam and finished his service in Keflavik, Iceland in 1973. He had an exciting career as a heavy equipment mechanic and operator throughout the United States and Canada. Ken loved his family, especially his daughters and grandchildren. He had an infectious smile and a witty sense of humor. With his easy-going, caring spirit he made lifelong friends in every town he worked and visited. He was a member of many clubs and organizations throughout his life. He followed in his father’s footsteps joining the Free Masons. He had a great love of music and cars that he passed on to his children and grandchildren. He played in numerous bands over the years and was nicknamed “Kenny Kansas” when he played guitar and sang in the Freddie Henshaw Band. He could play any instrument he picked up; he was a songwriter and his favorite instruments were guitar, piano and fiddle. He loved watching NASCAR races and he owned several Corvettes throughout his life. Ken had a pilot’s license and owned a plane in Alaska, where he also enjoyed hunting, fishing and boating. He was always dreaming big which led him to many exciting life experiences. He did and saw more than a hundred people see in one lifetime.
He is survived by his life partner, Lisa Avery; three daughters, Pamela Garrett of Sherwood, Ore., Kimberly Schamburg and husband Dennis of Cedar Hill, Mo., Kathleen Cole and husband Robert of Palmer, Alaska; grandchildren, Braydon Robbins and Shayla Jaeger of Portland, Ore., Audrianna Alleva of Anchorage, Alaska, Dalton, Carissa, and Seamus Alleva of Sherwood, Ore., Natalie Paul of St. Louis, Mo., Benjamin, Lydia, Adam, Caleb, Luke, and Asher Schamburg of Cedar Hill, Mo., Ryan and Kaylee Cole of Palmer, Alaska, Kage and Tana Akers of Topeka, Kan.; one great-grandson William Beerkircher; four sisters, Linda Lamer and husband Roger of Jefferson, Ore., Nancy Golladay and husband Gary of Joplin, Mo., Wanda Haak and husband Paul of Corvallis, Ore., Sherry Garrett and Gary Simonton of Salem, Ore., four brothers, William Garrett of Redmond, Ore., Ricky Garrett and wife Paula of Sweet Home, Ore., Darryl Garrett and wife Ali of Sweet Home, Ore., Wayne Garrett of Sweet Home, Ore.; one aunt, Dorothy Mero of Foley, Al., and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his daughter Rene Akers; grandsons Tanyr Alan Akers and Seth Josiah Schamburg; two brothers Clayton Garrett and James Garrett, one sister Marjorie Garrett, his parents, and a dear friend, Debbie Jensen.
Rev. Dr. Jared Witt will conduct a graveside service at 11 a.m. Monday April 3, 2017, at the U. S. National Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the Olson Frary Burkhart post #1165 V.F.W. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main Fort Scott, Kan. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guest book at cheneywitt.com.