DOYLE GARRETT, WHO SUCCESSFULLY WAGERED ON HOW BEST TO LIVE A LIFE, CASHED IT IN AT 89.

"You've got to know when to hold 'em; know when to fold 'em." Doyle Henry Garrett peacefully laid down his hand early in the morning on August 4, 2024 at the home he shared with his devoted wife, Margaret, at 320 Sunset Boulevard in Carrollton. He was 89.

The second child and eldest son born to small town entrepreneurs/educators in Bowdon, Georgia, on May 11, 1935, Doyle was expected to rise before daylight, work hard on the farm, and depend on himself. He started school a year early and later hitchhiked from Bowdon to Carrollton High School before he was old enough to drive in order to play football for the Trojans. Doyle had a warm smile, twinkling blue eyes, and a crushing handshake.

Doyle's love of competition and wagering was legendary, but he did not rely on blind luck. The Roman philosopher Seneca said, "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." Doyle was lucky in life, because he recognized opportunity. He married Margaret at age 19, and he kept her entertained until the very end. In turn, Margaret was his mainstay for almost 70 years, and she tirelessly helped Doyle beat the odds of living with diabetes. At age 21, Doyle resigned his job and took a chance on starting his own Garrett Wholesale Produce business, a successful sales company that gained him lifelong friends in the customers he served throughout West Georgia and East Alabama over his 50-year career.

In his younger years, Doyle was an avid bird hunter, and he took great pleasure training his many dogs, Queen, Skeeter, Jill, and Lemon in particular. Doyle loved Lake Martin and pulling his kids on skis and inner tubes. In his later years, Doyle took up golf, sometimes cajoling his willing opponents to let him start from the ladies' tee box while they started play from behind the pro tee box "with one foot on the grass." Doyle never let tradition stand in the way of fun.

Doyle challenged, encouraged, supported, and motivated his four children and his fourteen grandchildren. He played ball and rode horses with his children, he coached girls softball and boys little league, and he did not hesitate to sit his children in favor of better players. If you played for Doyle, you had to deliver. Until his health slowed him, Doyle rarely missed a Trojan football game. At a playoff game against Seminole County in 1974, the Carrollton team arrived at the south Georgia stadium around 4:00 in the afternoon to find Doyle and Margaret already seated on the visitors' 50-yard line. Doyle served as Chairman of the Carrollton Parks and Recreation Department, was a long-time member and past-president of the Carrollton High School Athletic Booster Club, and was a founding member of the Carrollton Swimming Association, now known as the Carrollton Bluefins. Doyle and Margaret received the Trojan Spirit award in 1979, were inducted into the Trojan Hall of Fame in 2005, and have a scholarship in their name recognizing their devotion to Trojan athletics.

Doyle is preceded in death by his parents, John Roy ("J.R.") Garrett and Elma (Heard) Garrett, his beloved sister, Nelva Roop, and his brothers-in-law David Roop and Gene Daugherty. Surviving are his wife of almost 70 years, Margaret (Smith) Garrett; daughters, Dana (Richard) Diment and Kelly (Tom) Glanton; sons, Greg Garrett and Ben (Kristi) Garrett; grandchildren, Garrett Diment, Ellis Diment (Evan) Clinton, Kate Diment, Emma Diment; Ory (Trista) Garrett, Austin Garrett, Eli Garrett; Pete (Curry) Glanton, Grace (Evan) Brooks, Bess (Luke) Waters; Anna (Bryce) Yen, Wil Garrett, Jack Garrett, and Meg Garrett; nine great-grandchildren; brothers Roy (Lumis) Garrett and Randy Garrett; sister-in-law Mary Jim Daugherty; and many adoring nieces and nephews.

Doyle was a lifelong Methodist, and he grew up attending Camp Meeting at Shiloh, near his birthplace. The celebration of his life will take place there under the arbor on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 11:00 am with visitation to follow. Those desiring may make contributions to The Trojan Spirit and Leadership Scholarship, (c/o the CCS Education Foundation) 106 Trojan Drive, Carrollton, Georgia 30117 or online at https://ccseducationalfoundation.revtrak.net/scholarships/#/v/Trojan-Spirit-Leadership-Scholarship

Messages of condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.almonfuneralhome.com

Almon Funeral Home of Carrollton has charge of arrangements.