James “Jim” Russell Garrett passed away on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, in Overland Park, Kansas. 

Jim was 79 years old.  He was born on February 15, 1945 in Dubuque, Iowa, which is a medium sized town on the banks of the Mississippi river.  He was the second child born to Clyde and Thelma Garrett.  

Jim and his family moved to Missouri in 1957.  He graduated from William Chrisman High school in Independence, Missouri and Kansas City Junior College.  He earned an Associate of Arts.  He obtained a B.A. in Literature from the University of Missouri at Kansas City in 1968.

Jim was in the Navy Reserves and spent 2 years on active duty.  He was stationed at the U.S. Naval Facility in Pacific Beach, Washington.   

Jim left Missouri to live in California in the mid 1970’s due to a chronic rag weed allergy.  He lived in several cities in California for over 40 years including, Weed, Mount Shasta, Half Moon Bay, Oakland, and San Jose. Jim did computer circuitry testing, working for Rolm and IBM before his retirement.

Jim was strongly influenced by writings of Henry David Thoreau.  He was an avid reader, mostly classics, philosophy, poetry and non-fiction.  He also enjoyed classical music, piano music and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.  He played the trumpet in high school.  He never married and generally lived quietly.  He had  good friends in California.

Jim had been a cross country runner in high school and had always been very active.  He enjoyed taking long walks in later life.  He did his own car repairs on his VW Beetle which he nicknamed “The Turtle”.  He had that car for 40+ years. Jim loved gardening.  He grew his own vegetables and numerous flowers.  He grew many herbs which he used daily in his cooking.     

Jim was brought to Overland Park, Kansas in December 2019 after suffering various health problems.  He resided at Garden Terrace until his passing.

He is survived by a brother, Dallas (Carole) of Overland Park, a sister, Nancy of Cumming, Ga, and another brother Jeff of Lee’s Summit, Mo., plus 2 nephews, 3 nieces, 3 great nephews, and a great niece.   

A remembrance of Jim’s life will be held at Garden Terrace at Overland Park on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, 2:30 PM.