Mark Edward Garrett's Obituary
Mark Edward Garrett was born March 5, 1963, at the Muskogee General Hospital, Muskogee Oklahoma. He was the youngest of five children born to James Walker Garrett and Barbara Jean Garrett of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Mark was a very cute, loving child, who early on was diagnosed with a mild learning difficulty. Even so, he was very intelligent and an excellent problem solver and one who overcame a host of difficulties during his life.
Mark attended John Marshall Elementary School, Orville Wright Junior High School, and Memorial High School. He began playing the trombone while in junior high school, and he especially enjoyed playing in the marching band at Memorial High.
Mark followed the path that had been set by his brothers all of whom worked summers for Tulsa Grass and Sod Company, working in the fields, mowing with a tractor, and installing sod. He and his oldest brother, James Jr. built rock walls, some of which are still standing, today.
Throughout his life, Mark worked at a variety of jobs. He worked at several janitorial jobs, and at one time, he had his own janitorial company, a franchise of the Jan-Pro Janitorial Company. He was a certified AMF technician and for many years serviced bowling machines in bowling alleys. Some of the professional bowlers who toured insisted that Mark be the person who oiled their bowling lanes. In this role, Mark traveled from time to time. In partnership with the McClaren brothers, Mark bought and sold produce. He was the owner/operator of a produce tent in south Tulsa. Mark was a certified Civilian Law Enforcement Trained agent and worked as a security agent in several situations, including the Tulsa Juvenile Center.
He was a graduate of the Penn Foster Career School and through that program became a certified motorcycle mechanic. Mark greatly enjoyed riding his motorcycle, especially the annual toy run. He was a member of Bikers Against Child Abuse. In August 2014, while riding his motorcycle, he was involved in a serious automobile/motorcycle accident. His injuries required several surgeries and the lingering effects of those injuries caused serious health problems for the rest of his life. Despite these injuries, Mark continued to seek employment to be fully self-supporting.
In the final season of life, Mark began playing the guitar. He especially appreciated his time with his Music Store guitar teacher, Bryan Smith.
One of Mark’s greatest delights was time with his nieces and nephews. It was not unusual for them to talk about their Uncle Mark.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Barbara Garrett, and his oldest brother, James Garrett Jr.. Mark is survived by his father, James Garrett, brother, John Garrett and his wife Nina, his brother, Gregory Garrett, his sister, Diana Downing and her husband James. He also is survived by a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Celebration of Life will be 1:00 pm, Saturday, December 16, 2023, at Tulsa Christian Fellowship, 2121 E. 3rd St., Tulsa, OK
What’s your fondest memory of Mark?
What’s a lesson you learned from Mark?
Share a story where Mark's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Mark you’ll never forget.
How did Mark make you smile?
