John C. Garrett's Obituary
John was born in Rosemont, West Virginia on October 25th, 1936 and passed away peacefully on March 21st, 2025 with family by his side. John graduated from St. Mary's High School in Clarksburg, WV in 1955. It was during high school that he met Mary Ellen Ellis, the love of his life. They married on November 22, 1958, and their family became complete with the birth of their two daughters, Tina and CiCi. John moved to Alliance, Ohio in 1961 and Alliance was his home for over 63 years. At the end of 2024, he relocated to Columbus, Ohio to be closer to family.
John received a bachelor’s degree in education from Salem College and a master’s degree from Westminster College. He was a faculty member at Sebring high school for over 30 years and held multiple positions including teacher, assistant principal, principal and superintendent. He was a talented football player in both high school and college, and he was involved in athletics at Sebring HS serving as head football coach, assistant basketball coach and athletic director. John was also a member of the St. Joseph Church family in Alliance.
John was a devoted husband, son, father, brother, grandfather, uncle and friend. John’s family was his top priority, and he always made sure that their home was filled with a lot of laughter and love. The family enjoyed frequent weekend visits to West Virginia to visit extended family and friends. John was an avid fisherman, and he also liked to hunt. He enjoyed his annual fishing trips to Canada with family and friends. John loved going to Montana to hunt with friends, and many in this group were former students who became lifelong friends.
After retirement, John frequently traveled to Columbus, Ohio and Houston, Texas where he could be found cheering on his four grandsons at their football games, hockey games and other sporting events. Every Christmas, he and Mary Ellen traveled to either Columbus or Houston making lifetime memories with their children and grandchildren. They also enjoyed time shared with their incredible network of friends.
John is preceded in death by his wife Mary Ellen, parents Charles and Lena Garrett, his sister Irene Straub and his in-laws Louie and Geraldine Ellis. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Tina & Michael Latimer, daughter CiCi Garrett Oswald, brothers Jim Garrett and Gary Garrett, grandsons Chris (Leah) Latimer, Matt (Breanna) Latimer, Thomas (Paige) Oswald and Mark (Madison) Oswald, great-grandson Levi Garrett Oswald, great granddaughters Quinn Oswald and Ivy Latimer and many other in-laws, cousins, nephews and nieces. Wherever John went, there was always laughter and fun. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
John was buried during a private ceremony with family in attendance at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Alliance. A celebration of life is being planned for a future date.
You are invited to view John's tribute wall, offer condolences and share memories at www.sharerfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are by the Sharer-Stirling-Skivolocke Funeral Home.
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