Willard Eugene “Gene” Garrett, the son of Betty Fisher and Willard Luther Garrett was born January 6, 1944 at Birch Tree, MO and passed away at Poplar Bluff, MO on October 24th, 2022 at the age 78. Willard was united in marriage to Donna Jo Garrett on July 2, 1983. To this union, Trisha (Garrett) Clover was born. Willard and Donna divorced many years later but remained friends and often spent time together playing cards or cooking meals.
Gene loved fishing, hunting, restoring and collecting old cars, stock cars and motorcycles. Before the passing of his father, Willard Luther Garrett, Gene loved nothing more than fishing and spending time with his dad. Gene enjoyed spending time with others, especially his grandchildren. Gene would spoil his grandchildren to no end and would rarely ever tell them “no” to anything. Gene was a truck driver the majority of his life and took a lot of pride in his trucks and his work. Gene was known to many as “Black Knight” and Gene knew everything there was to know about 18 wheelers. Gene spent his last few years enjoying retirement and helping others whenever he could. Gene loved to cook and eat deer meat and catfish every chance he could.
He was preceded in death by his Grandmother Daisy Garrett, Grandfather, Luther Garrett, Father, Willard Luther Garrett, Mother, Betty Fisher, Brother, Carl Garrett, Brother, Ronnie Garrett, Brother, Jack Smith, Brother, Raymond Smith, and Sister Janie Brooks.
Gene is survived by his Daugher, Trisha (Garrett) Clover and husband Rob, Son, Garland Garrett, Daughter, Leann Garrett, Sister, Trudy Kelly, Sister, Judy Mendenhall, Brother, Dennis Smith, Brother, Randy Garrett, Step son, Junior West, Step son, Dewayne West, Step son, Dean West, Step son, Timothy Bryant, Step son, Terry Bryant, Step daughter Tonya Sechrest, several grandchildren, and his best buddy, his dog Rattler.
Gene never wanted anyone to be sad about his passing and said that going to Heaven should be celebrated. There will be a memorial celebration of Gene’s life scheduled in the near future.
