Master Sergeant Fredrick W. Garnett, Jr. (Retired), 53, of Fayetteville, NC, passed away June 8, 2021, in his home. A graveside service with Full Military Honors was held June 18, 2021, at the State VA Cemetery, Fort Bragg, NC.
He was born in Starkville, MS on September 9, 1967, son to Freddy Garnett and Gail Rowe Shuman.
MSG Garnett joined the US Army in 1986 and retired in 2014, with 28 years of active duty service, 13 years with the regular Army and 15 years with the 82nd Airborne. Awards he received for his service include: Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, 4th award, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, National Defense Service Medal, South West Asia Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, 3rd Award, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon, 5th Award, Combat Infantryman Badge, Kuwait Liberation Medal and Senior Parachutist Badge.
“Rick” is survived by his wife Pattie Garnett of Fayetteville, NC; his mother, Gail Rowe Shuman and her husband Ed Shuman of Houston, TX, his aunt, JoAnn Cohen of Starkville, MS, cousins Janet Cohen of Starkville, MS and Brad Cohen of West Point, MS and a host of extended family members and friends.
He is preceded in death by his father Freddy Garnett, cousins John Paul Garnett and Alaina Garnett, maternal grandparents, Melvin and Lottie Robertson, maternal great grandparents, Jesse and Queenie Helms, and paternal grandparents, JB and Joyce Garnett, an uncle, Larry Cohen and two very special great aunts, Dorothy Latham, previously of Mathiston, MS and Theda Fleming, previously of Drew, MS.
Everyone in Eupora knew MSG Garnett as “Rick.” He loved visiting his Nana and Paw and learning to fish and hunt. Motorcycles became a love of his at an early age and continued his entire life. (Harleys were his adult preference.) When Rick talked about his boxer bulldogs, Gilla and Dakota, his eyes would always light up. Some of Rick’s enjoyments and hobbies were grilling out, maintaining his lawn, history, especially American and military, collecting movies, especially ones with John Wayne and Jimmie Stewart, and games on his X Box. There were not many people in cyberspace that could beat him in football. He had a great big heart for people, even Iraqi civilians, whom he showed kindness to during his four tours in Iraq. A couple of songs Rick had on his I-Tunes were “I’ll Fly Away” by Alan Jackson and “God Bless the USA” by Lee Greenwood. He was baptized in the Persian Gulf on his way into Bagdad, Iraq.
Rick will be missed greatly, especially by his mother and family.
If anyone wishes to honor MSG Fredrick W. Garnett, Jr., please do so at Fallen Warriors Memorial Texas.org. God Bless America! Home of the Free because of the Brave.
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