James Patrick Garrity, Jr.

Our loving father and grandfather passed away on May 5, 2018 surrounded by his loved ones.  He was born in Somerville, Massachusetts on May 3, 1932, and, as a young boy, moved to San Diego, California.  He attended area schools before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps when he was 17 years old.  He served in the Korean War, and in his later years, he loved watching “M*A*S*H” and reminisced about sleeping in those same military tents. 

Dad returned to San Diego and attended a local junior college, but he soon realized that military life could provide different opportunities.  So he enlisted in the United States Air Force and served for 18 years, attaining the rank of Technical Sergeant.  During his military career, he worked as an aircraft mechanic and taught electronics classes.  Dad was stationed at Mountain Home (Idaho) AFB, Hahn (Germany) Air Base, and Lakenheath (England) AFB, but he also traveled all over the world working on military planes.

On April 30, 1960, he married Thella Elaine Johnson in Pocatello, Idaho.  They had four daughters: Leslie Ann, Jana Lee, Kelli Ann, and Kimberly Jo.  When Dad retired from the Air Force in 1971, the family moved to Pocatello.  He was employed as a telephone installer and storeman for the Mountain Bell Telephone Company (later AT&T), and retired in 1991.

In 1984, his beloved wife, Thella, passed away.  He married Sally Louise Bohi in 1985 and they had a long, happy marriage until her death in 2013.  Dad then moved to Salt Lake City, Utah to be closer to his daughters and grandchildren.  While Dad loved living near his family again, he hated SLC traffic and was determined to do all his shopping and errands driving down only 900 East in order to avoid “crazy Utah drivers.”  Eventually, he moved to Bountiful, Utah where the pace was a bit slower.  He lived next door to his cherished grandchildren.  He was so proud of them and often boasted of their grades, talents, and general goodness.

Dad loved (obsessed over) fishing, and his collection of rods and reels probably rivals the local sporting goods stores’.  He was happiest fishing on a lake or river bank, or camping with his family. 

Dad taught us the value of hard work, dedication to family, humility, humor, and generosity.  We have fond memories of him attending our high school and church activities; his famous tacos, enchiladas, and pizzas; and our Saturday picnics and swimming trips at Indian Springs.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Adelaide and Frank Eberhardt; wives, Thella and Sally; daughter, Leslie Ann; and brother, David.

He is survived by loving daughters: Jana Garrity, Kelli Garrity, and Kimberly Springer; sons-in-law, Kevin Springer and Curtis Giles; Curtis’s children, Zoe and Memphis; five adored Springer grandchildren: Samuel Kevin, Hannah Dale, Olivia James, Ellison Reed, and Ruby Lyman; and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Symbii Home Health and Hospice (Layton) for their thoughtful care and service.

In the end, Dad often mentioned what a good life he’d had.  We are blessed by the good father and grandfather we had. A celebration of his life will be planned for a later date.