Lt. Col.Curtis Garrett, Us Army (Ret.)

Lt. Col. Curtis Garrett, U.S. Army (Retired), a decorated veteran of wars in Korea and Vietnam, died Tuesday at his Orlando home following a lengthy illness. Following 22 years of active military service, he retired to Orlando and became a Realtor.
Born in Lake Wales, Florida, December 16, 1929, he was the second son of Anna Lee Jackson Garrett and Ivey James Garrett. He had six brothers and sisters.
Col. Garrett grew up and attended public schools in Lakeland. He often recalled going with his brothers to catch baby alligators to sell to Cypress Gardens. He joined the Army as a recruit, worked his way up to technical sergeant before applying for Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Ga. He entered the paratroops and then applied for pilot training. After earning his wings, he served in France, Germany, Japan, Korea and Vietnam.
In France, he was picked to serve as the pilot for General William Westmoreland. He was flying the general when the plane's landing gear malfunctioned and he landed without a nose wheel. Neither he nor the general were hurt.
In Vietnam he flew combat helicopters supporting ground operations. While flying combat missions, he was wounded in the wrist but continued to fly and refused the award of the Purple Heart because he said his wound was too minor compared to those affecting other men. He was shot down five times.
During his military service he earned Distinguished Flying Cross with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Good Conduct medal, Army of Occupation Medal, National Defense Service Medal with one Star, Vietnam Service Medal with four Stars, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
In November 1970, he retired to Orlando, and went into real estate, becoming a licensed Realtor. His wife, Michelle, who was in business with him, recalls that people to whom he sold homes became friends and had him handle their real estate operations until he retired after 25 years.
An avid fisherman, Garrett purchased a home on Marathon Key where he spent much time fishing. He had plans to move to the Keys, but could not because of the onset of Parkinson's disease from whose effects he died.
The colonel is survived by his wife, Michelle, his children Jeffrey Garrett, Tom Mosie, Deborah Hathaway, Jennifer Burke and Suzanne Dimitry. His brothers Ivey Garrett, Harry Garrett and his sisters Nora Hammill, Bert Scaff and Cecil Harvey. He was preceded in death by his brother Buck, his Mother and his Father.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, June 26 at Newcomer Family Funeral Home on Goldenrod Rd. There will be a viewing from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. prior to the service. Burial with military honors will be at Arlington National Cemetery on August 30, 2007.