Mr. Roger “Gomer” Garrett, of Blairsville, age 57, passed away on Friday, December 13, 2013, at his home following an extended illness.Mr. Roger “Gomer” Garrett, of Blairsville, age 57, passed away on Friday, December 13, 2013, at his home following an extended illness.

Roger was born in Young Harris, Georgia, on March 8, 1956, a son of Jim Garrett and Grace Lee Addington Garrett. Hardly anyone knew him as Roger, but everyone knew who “Gomer” was and knew they had a lifelong friend. With the kindest heart – even when he felt the worse, he was still helping other people. He never met a stranger. His favorite things were hunting and hiking for miles and miles – for the best hunting spot, or just a peaceful place to be. All animals loved him and he would take in just about any stray that came along. Before you knew it, not just dogs, but squirrels, raccoons and baby deer, were trained up and spoiled rotten. Snake hunting was another favorite pastime. It was normal if he didn’t have his snake box in the back of the truck, and with big snakes living right in the house. He could always find the biggest rattlesnakes, and loved the endless hours of searching to find them. If you couldn’t find him, he was off in the woods looking for critters – either for food or for pets – you never knew what varmit he was going to be nursing back to health.

And we can’t forget the horseshoes! All the shoes that his hands threw! No one could even start to count them! Endless games and tournaments with all of his wonderful E.O.P. gang, which all became his family throughout the years. He always had worked with wood and sold a lot of it too. Don’t know how, but he sure could load a truck down to the gills, placed just right. He passed that secret to his son, A.B., ’cause he can load it just like his dad – and they won’t lose a stick! His children will cherish memories of riding back roads looking for any game they could find (which usually ended up being supper), learning to shoot and walk through the woods “as quiet as a mouse”. Memories of Gomer could be shared without end, but one thing is for certain He could always put a smile on your face and will always be someone that can never be replaced.

He will be remembered by all who knew him, but especially missed by: his two children, Patricia Lee and Jarrad Garrett with their mother, Gwen Garrett. His brothers, Harold & Denver Garrett; sister, Doris MaGaha; three grandchildren, Isaiah, Samantha and Brooklynn and one great-grandson, Colttinn who was born this year. His love, Mary Ann, they have been together for 8 loving years, where he took on two more children like his own, Toni and Kyle Smith, gaining seven more grandchildren to love: Zach, Jaxton, Emma, Alexis, Jason, Angel and Damien. And two precious girls that will be joining the family in March. His legacy will be carried on through them all! All his love for Mary Ann was one of a kind. No matter how crazy his idea was, she just went right along with him. All his critters inside and out – she just took them right in. Now that’s love! He couldn’t have asked for a better partner, friend, love, and at the end, nurse.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, December 17, 2013 from the Chapel of Cochran Funeral Home with Rev. Tommy Jones officiating. A Eulogy will be delivered by Dr. Perry Scallan. Special Music will be provided by L.J Brown & John Nix. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday evening from 6 until 9 pm. Interment will follow in Coosa United Methodist Cemetery. The following gentlemen have been selected to serve as pallbearers: Perry Scallan, Scott Jones, Jerry Everett, Mark Dyer, Ramon Mason, Tony Harrison. Honorary escort will include: Early Seabolt, Grady Jones, Shawn Estep, Kyle Smith, Denver Garrett, Gwen Garrett & Johnny Burnette.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Cochran Funeral Home of Blairsville. Please share your fond memories and condolences with the family on our website, www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.