David Harper Garrett

A funeral mass for David Harper Garrett, 92, of Davenport, IA, formerly of East Moline, IL, will be 11 am Friday at St. Anne Catholic Church, East Moline. Visitation will be one hour prior at church. Burial will be at Rock Island National Cemetery. Mr. Garrett passed away Saturday, September 24, 2022, at Bickford of Davenport.

Dave was born in Marseilles, IL, he lived in Texas for a short time and then was raised in East Moline. After graduating from United Township High School in 1948 he married his high school sweetheart, Maxine Snell Garrett, in 1950. Dave was drafted by the Army shortly after getting married and was sent to combat in the Korean War; he drove the army tanks.

After serving his country, he returned home to East Moline and began his life with Maxine. Dave went to work for Iowa-Illinois Gas and Electric…he worked there for many years: he spent endless nights and weekends “on call”. After one specific call in the middle of the night, where a customer lost power and was upset because she couldn’t knit in the dark, Dave was able to restore her power. Maxine on the other hand, had enough of the around the clock on call and told Dave he had to quit! She was quite the “ball-buster” according to Dave.

After quitting Iowa-Illinois Gas and Electric, he started his home building business with his good friends Dean and Sherley Lewis. After the home building business, Dave met Johnny Morrow and a great friendship began. They went into the in-ground pool building business and made sure many beers were drank after a long, hot day! Once Dave retired from working, he started his next chapter in life with politics. He met another great friend, Paul Mulcahey. They served on the Rock Island County board for many years, lots of laughs and great memories. The friendship continued until his passing.

Dave’s life culminated with his granddaughter’s wedding two weeks ago and celebrating his 92nd birthday on the same day. He felt honored to celebrate his birthday on her wedding day. He loved spending the time with friends and family; especially the Zmuda clan.

Dave and Maxine had three girls. He was an avid euchre player. He was proud to say he never had to hire a “handyman”, he could fix anything and everything! Some of “Dave-isms”: Don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out. If you’re going to cry, I’m going to give you something to cry about. SHUT THE DOOR, I’m not paying to cool the outside, what do you think, I own the power company. And his favorite line, I’m going to see a man about a dog (and he never came home with a dog). Dave had a heart of gold, but ran the house with an “iron fist”. Many laughs and good times throughout the years.

Dave is survived by three daughters: Lynette Garrett (Chuck Duebert) Florida; Annie (Phil) Jerzyk, Iowa; Peggy Garrett (Mike Mullaney) Arizona. Grandchildren: Garrett (Jessica), Amanda (Zach), Vincent, Jonny and Sydney. Great-grand child Grayson. And not to be left out, his grand dog Chance.

Dave was preceded in death by his wife, Maxine and sister, Jeannine Zmuda.

“To us…the most beautiful people in the world”

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