Albert Cobb Garnett
1928-2017
Albert Cobb Garnett, 88, passed away on Saturday, March 25, 2017, while in hospice care at The Silverado Memory Care Community, The Woodlands, TX. Like so many others afflicted with Alzheimer's, his passing ended a long decline into silence and isolation from those he loved. Al was beloved by his family and friends and will be truly missed.
Al was born June 5, 1928, in Norwich, NY, to Richard Hyler Garnett and Helen Genevieve Cobb Garnett. He spent his formative years in the northern New Jersey town of Boonton, where he first realized that hard work and perseverance would be keys to a successful life. He graduated in 1947 from Boonton High School, scientific course of study, with many lifelong friends. He was a proud graduate of Lafayette College, where he earned his BS in Civil Engineering in 1951. Al liked the challenge of outdoor physical work combined with his engineering expertise. He soon found his way with Mobil Oil Company to the jungles of Venezuela, where he was involved with seismic exploration for crude oil. His many exciting jungle stories got better with age!! He returned to the US to serve in the Army Corps of Engineers, stationed at the Engineer Test Center Fort Belvoir, VA. This turned out to be his lucky move since he found the love of his life, Joyce Ann, a recent William and Mary graduate, working nearby in Washington D.C. The newly-married couple returned to Venezuela where their son Richard was born. Returning again to the US, Al resumed his professional engineering career living and working in Hanover Township, NJ, where their son Douglas was born, then to Allentown, PA, Houston, TX and finally to Alexandria, VA, where he was employed by the Federal Government in the DOT's Office of Pipeline Safety.
Al and Joy retired in 1998 and returned to Texas to their new home at Palmer Bend Court in The Woodlands and later to The Forum at The Woodlands, where they always enjoyed "Texas Living." Both Al and Joy were active members of The Woodlands Community Presbyterian Church, where Al served industriously on the property committee. Al & Joy celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Feb. 23, 2017, a day truly blessed by God as Al was happy and bright for the celebration.
He is survived by his wife, Joyce Ann; son, Richard and wife Maureen and son, Matthew; daughter in-law, Linda Garnett and her daughter, Kasey Willis of Denver, CO; brother, Richard Hyler Garnett and wife, Suzanne of La Quinta, CA; nephew, James Cobb Garnett and wife, Dian and children, Samantha and Julianne of Fort Worth, TX; niece, Carol Suzanne Garnett of San Francisco, CA; nephew, Robert Harding Garnett of San Francisco, CA; and nephew, John Reed Garnett also of San Francisco, CA. He was predeceased by his parents and by his youngest son, Douglas Albert Garnett.
The entire Garnett family thanks The Silverado Memory Care Community staff for the loving, compassionate care provided to Al. A celebration of Al's life is planned for 2:00 p.m., April 12, 2017 at The Woodlands Community Presbyterian Church, 4881 W. Panther Creek Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77381.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate gifts in Al's memory sent to the Alzheimer Research Foundation, 3152 Little Road, Suite 146, Trinity, FL 34655 or to Woodlands Community Presbyterian Church. Condolences may be offered at www.millerfuneral.com