John Sullivan Garnett

John Sullivan Garnett died peacefully in his sleep at St. Dominic Village in Houston, Texas on October 4, 2013 after a courageous battle with cancer. John was born in Corpus Christi to Beverly Claude (Bevo) Garnett and Betty Sullivan Garnett on April 5, 1936. He was baptized at the Corpus Christi Catholic Cathedral on May 18, 1936. He received his first communion on May 9, 1943 at the Church of St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles in San Antonio. He was confirmed at the Church of St. Patrick in Corpus Christi on May 4, 1947. John attended grade school in San Antonio and Corpus Christi. During high school the family moved to Sisterdale and John attended Comfort High School, graduating in 1954. He was accepted into the Agricultural & Mechanical College of Texas and the Corps of Cadets in 1954 and graduated in 1958 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. After college, John accepted a commission as 2nd Lieutenant in Company A of the Sixteenth Specialist Battalion in Ft. Jackson, South Carolina. John was honorably discharged from the armed forces on May 24, 1965 having attained the rank of Captain.

John married Emma (Deedle) D’Albini Knapp on June 14, 1958 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Houston. John and Emma began their married lives in Houston and also lived in Austin before finally settling in Brenham in 1965. There, John and Emma raised four children. John was the Texaco petroleum products consignee for Washington County. He also owned and operated several independent Texaco service stations. John sold the last of the Texaco holdings in January of 1980 and became a real estate broker.

John was a dedicated member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church for almost 50 years. He served on numerous committees, including the pastoral counsel and as a Eucharistic minister.

John was active in the Brenham community. His list of positions included the Brenham ISD School Board, Trinity Hospital Board, the Brenham Planning and Zoning Commission, the Brenham City Development Board, the Little League Board of Directors, the Brazos Valley Development Council, Brenham City Councilman, and the Brenham Maifest Association Board (Hall of Fame 1988). He was named Washington County Chamber of Commerce “Man of the Year” in 1986. (That’s just the stuff we can remember).

John was the definition of charity. John was a giver, benefactor, angel, shepherd, backer, sponsor, patron, booster and supporter of family, countless causes and individuals who were down on their luck. He also liked to eat and his sense of humor brought tremendous joy to all who were near.

John is survived by his wife of 55 years, Emma; children, Joe and Ann Garnett of Houston; Libby and James Reue of Coppell; Katie and Dan Kolkhorst of Houston; and Matt and Rachael Garnett of Fort Worth; grandchildren Dickson, Pearson, Sully and Taylor Garnett; Chris and Adrianne Reue, Errinne and Clay Horton; Carolyn, John and Zoe Kolkhorst; Haleigh and Josh Bramer, Jake, Emily, Micah and Gabriel Garnett; great-grandchildren Brenna and Colson Horton; and Madelin and Juliette Bramer; sister Patti Wray of New Braunfels; sister-in-law Debbie Knapp of Angelton and sister-in-law Penny Garnett of Austin. He will also be fondly remembered by numerous nieces, nephews and special friends. His family wishes to thank the many caregivers, nurses, and doctors who cared for John through his final illness.

John was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Bob and Fred Garnett and brother-in-law Marcial Knapp.

Visitation with the family will be at Brenham Memorial Chapel located at 2300 Stringer Street in Brenham at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 6, 2013, followed by a rosary at 7:00 p.m. A funeral mass will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church located at 701 Church Street in Brenham at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, October 7, 2013. There will also be a graveside service immediately after the funeral mass at the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, also known as Calvary Cemetery, adjacent to the Prairie Lea Cemetery in Brenham. A reception will follow the graveside service at St. Mary’s PAC. Pallbearers include his nephew, Alex Knapp, and grandsons Chris Reue, John Kolkhorst, Jake Garnett, Dickson Garnett, Pearson Garnett, Micah Garnett and Gabriel Garnett. Honorary pallbearers include Bud Smith, Odell Lueckemeyer, Gene Schulle, E. P. O' Malley, Jim Taylor, Weldon Gaskamp, Charles Emily, Bill Blumenthal and Bob R. Smith.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church or the charity of one’s choice.