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MSG (Retired) Taylor Benton Garrett Jr., known to most as “Ben,” 80, of Manchester, Georgia passed away Monday, August 21, 2023 at Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center with his loving wife of 58 years and son holding his hands.

Ben was born September 2, 1942 in Newport News, Virginia to the late Muriel Shirley Garrett and Taylor Benton Garrett Sr. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Army in 1964 and retired as a Master Sergeant in 1984. He served with pride as an airborne rigger for six years, which put him in Vietnam in 1968 at the start of the Tet offensive. The remainder of his term was spent as an Army Recruiter in Syracuse, NY, Virginia Beach, Va. and Manchester, Mo. office where he was area commander. After his retirement from the military, he and his wife, Dee, owned and operated R & R Resort Rental Properties, Inc. and later sold the business and moved to Georgia, where Dee was raised. After retirement, Ben and Dee traveled all over and took trips in their boat up and down the Intercoastal Water Way.

Mr. Garrett was a talented artist, specializing in Seascapes, and a devoted member of the Liverpool Art Guild with many of his works displayed in Liverpool homes. He was a sports enthusiast all his life. In his more active years he played golf, racquetball, and pitched in slow pitch team league play. He was a handy man and tinkerer, showing extreme organization in his meticulous planning. Ben was a member of County Line Church and was a servant ever prepared to help others generously in their time of need. Mr. Garrett is preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include his devoted wife, Delores “Dee” Garrett of Manchester, Ga.; son, Bryan Garrett of Wilmington, NC; siblings, David (Diane) Garrett of Mechanicsville, Va., James B. Garrett of Suffolk, Va., and Lynn McDonald of Yorktown, Va.; and many special nieces, nephews, and brothers and sisters-in-laws, Carl L. “Bubber” (Penny) Fishburne and Judith Fishburne; and numerous extended family and friends.

A Memorial Service will be held 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 9, 2023 in the Chapel of Cox Funeral Home with a close family friend and retired pastor Charles Gill from North Carolina officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment will take place in Ft. Mitchell National Cemetery with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the American Cancer Society, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or County Line Church, 2552 County Line Church Road, Warm Springs, GA 31830, or Hope Harbor, 611 Seminole Road, LaGrange, Ga. 30240.

The Garrett family is being assisted by Cox Funeral Home of Manchester, Georgia. Please leave a condolence or share a fond memory of Mr. Garrett on the tribute wall at www.coxfh.com.

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