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Obituary (VA): Garland Waddy Garrett '64

Posted on 04/05/2018

Garland Waddy Garrett, a well-loved gracious man, has completed his earthly journey to be with God, faithful to the Navy motto: "Don't give up the ship" in his determined 16-year battle with various cancers. Waddy's optimism and determination bolstered his ability to sustain an engaged, active lifestyle despite the medical challenges. This intrepid "miracle man," as friends called him, died peacefully on April 2, 2018, at the age of 76, surrounded by his family. Born in Richmond on April 25, 1941, Waddy was the eldest son of Benjamin H. and Garland Bache Garrett, who predeceased him. His family includes his wife of 44 years, Cornelia "Connie" Whittet Garrett. He always said marrying her was the best decision of his life. He is also survived by his three children, Christopher Garland Garrett of Virginia Beach, Caroline Bache Garrett and Leete Parker Garrett of Richmond; his daughter-in-law, Kimberley Clarke Garrett, whom he claimed as his own; three beloved grandchildren, Madeleine, Clarke and Cyrus; his sisters, Susan Jordan of Richmond, Caroline Hardy (Trotter) of Williamsburg; and his brother, Ben Garrett (Sally) of Alexandria. He was predeceased by his former wife, Mary G. Lipscomb Storm, mother of his son, Chris. He enjoyed his brother Ben's passion for genealogy, finding ties to settlers in Virginia in 1620. He had Quaker roots with Garretts in colonial Pennsylvania and was a descendant of Benjamin Franklin, through the Bache family. Waddy attended Hanover and Ginter Park Public Schools, Thomas Jefferson High School, and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1964. Following sub school and nuclear power training, he served as a Naval officer for 10 years on three submarines, attaining the rank of Lt. Commander. Graduating from Harvard Business School in 1976, he took over the helm of Alliance Fertilizer Corporation, headquartered in Hanover County, which was purchased in the 1920s by his grandfather and managed by his father for 40 years. Over 25 years, he expanded the business from three plants in Virginia to 12 locations, serving farmers in Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina. Waddy served as president of two national fertilizer associations. In 2000, he sold Alliance Agronomics to Royster-Clark. He retired from Alliance to enjoy travel, sailing, consulting and mentoring. He continued his business involvement, serving on business and civic boards, including Cadmus, Dominion Bank, Willard Agri-Service, Ag Chem Equipment, Reed's Jewelers, Datum, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, and as a director of several community banks. What gave him special pleasure was mentoring young business entrepreneurs on a one-on-one basis. An avid sailor, Waddy was a member of Fishing Bay Yacht Club, serving as Commodore in 1993, New York Yacht Club and The Cruising Club of America. He was involved with community and business associations, among them leadership organizations YPO, CEO and L3, a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, and a participant in a Men's Fellowship at St. Stephen's. He was active in USNA class leadership, chairing reunions at the Naval Academy. Waddy and Connie were able to enjoy international travel, and to sail extensively aboard Running Tide, cruising more than 50,000 miles, exploring the U.S. East Coast from Nova Scotia to the Bahamas, including two transits to Bermuda, with coastal Maine and the Exumas being favorite destinations. Waddy passed along his passion for sailing to his children, who are active FBYC members. He proudly acknowledged that they exceeded their parents' skills as proficient sailors. Enthusiasm for the water extends to grandchildren, who now participate in Junior Sailing. Nowhere was Waddy more content than being at "Tideside" on Stove Point, looking out to the Bay or sailing on Running Tide, anywhere, anytime! If grandchildren were present, it was perfect! Waddy was generous in spirit and willingly shared his time and talents with others. His determination to defy life's stumbling blocks was an inspiration. Deemed a humble "collector of friends" from one of his dear colleagues, his sincere compassion for others, gentle soul and zest for life were evident to all who knew him. This had a positive impact far and wide in his lifetime. He was both wise and fun loving, remembered for his easy smile and crazy dancing. His was a life well-lived and we cherish the memories. The family will receive friends from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, April 8, at the Central Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home, 3215 Cutshaw Ave. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 10, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 815 East Grace Street, Richmond, Va. Burial in Hollywood Cemetery will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to a special fund: "In Memory of G. Waddy Garrett, Class of 1964," payable to U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) Foundation, P.O. Box 79169, Baltimore, Md. 21279 or to Communities in Schools, 2922 W. Marshall Street, Suite 2, Richmond, Va. 23230.

Richmond Times-Dispatch
5 April 2018

http://www.richmond.com/obituaries/garrett-garland/article_efd66d84-0154-599e-a53f-9a19f52e8f6c.html