Kyle Garrett

Kyle Chris Garrett

Kaysville, UT – Kyle Chris Garrett, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, dearest friend and master craftsman, returned to his heavenly home on Thursday,  December 3, 2020 after passing away peacefully in his sleep.

Throughout his incredible life journey, Kyle was the embodiment of integrity, goodness, kindness, hard work and always willing to help anyone in need, dropping everything he was doing to help without thinking of himself.  Kyle was born May 16, 1951 at Hamilton Air Force Base in Hamilton, California to Philip Eugene Garrett and Ruth Juanita Christensen.  Kyle is adored by his wife, son, parents, brothers, sisters and friends.  Kyle lived a life of valor, honor and hard work which he was taught at a very early age.

He lived in Japan while his father was stationed in the Air Force and then relocated to California, Wendover, Salt Lake and later Pocatello, Idaho.

At the age of 6, Kyle explored the caves and deserts of Wendover and often took his younger brother Todd with him, taking on the role of protector on their many adventures. Bringing along a lunch packed by mom, a canteen and “old timer” pocket knife. Later in life Todd would leave the hood of his 54 Chevy up whenever he would go fishing.  Kyle could see the Red 54 from the freeway on his way home.  This was a special signal to one another that Todd was out fishing this provided a connection to one another since they weren't always able to go fishing together.

Kyle moved to Salt Lake where he attended Granite High School.  He earned his Eagle and Duty to God Award.  Kyle earned a college scholarship and attended the University of Utah where he wanted to become a doctor. But the love of the outdoors and the freedom of traveling throughout the country beckoned to him and he had to travel.  Kyle hitchhiked through California, Seattle, Washington and other States before he returned home and lived in the Avenues.   Kyle loved to play his harmonica and even played when a popular band had come to perform at the Libby Gardner Hall at the University of Utah.  Kyle was sitting in the audience and started playing with the band, uninvited and much to the dismay of those paying customers.  Kyle was a free spirit and loved to go on long drives in the canyons, camping and he had a special love for the Spirit Lake area behind Wyoming/Utah where he took his brothers and later his wife and son on very special trips. Kyle made many wooden gifts that will last for generations.  These gifts of love have been given to family members throughout the years.  It would be impossible to count all he has done with his giving.  The ones that stand out the most are the rocking horses and doll cradles given to his nephews and nieces when they were young.  Now their kids are able to enjoy these toys. A cherished memory of his brother James was helping Kyle build a China cabinet for their mother and the many hours shared working side by side. Sharing his knowledge and instilling an incredible work ethic. Like the time they worked side by side removing the old driveway of their parent’s home and repouring. Some of his sayings were, “nothing to it, but to do it” and “one pass on the shaper and no sanding”.  These handmade gifts were unique, challenging, and treasured by those who received them.  This is just one of the ways our gentle giant Kyle shared his talent and expressed his love.  Kyle dearly loved and wanted to protect all of his younger sisters, Ann, Ina, Rugene, Chris, Cilla and Kathy along with all of his nephews and nieces.

Kyle spent many days with his nephew, Jason Anderson building a very special wooden captain’s chest and dresser drawer as a special wedding present for his bride.    Jason brought special rough cut lumber which he took to a lumber mill and then Kyle and Jason finished designing and make the captain’s chest and dresser drawer.  These will always be treasured memories for Jason and Kyle.

Kyle met his soul mate, Stephanie while working on a construction project in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Kyle will always be her Viking warrior with his long blond hair flowing over the collar of his faded John Wayne jacket.

Kyle excelled in residential construction and shortly turned to commercial construction.

Kyle spent 40 Years with Eckman Construction as a Construction Superintendent overseeing Fast Track Commercial and Industrial Tilt-up & Masonry Construction for National and Local Clients, many over 300,000 square feet including site development. Kyle was actual "hands-on" in all aspects of commercial, residential and custom home construction.  Some of the projects that Kyle supervised were the Pheasant Hollow Business Park, Sportsman’s Warehouse in Utah, Boise Idaho and Aurora Colorado, Sam’s Club, Shopko, the Jerry Seiner Dealership off 1500 South Freeway, Ninigret Business Park, and many, many more commercial buildings.   Kyle enjoyed working and developed many lasting friendships with the owners, co-workers, and sub-contractors over the many years.  Kyle was very detailed oriented and always made sure that he did his very best.  Kyle also did speciality cabinets and woodworking.  He did most of the maple finish work at The McGillis School in Salt Lake.  He was a master craftsman.  Kyle taught and encouraged his brothers to pursue woodworking which eventually turned into a love of the wood for his brothers.

Kyle took his wife, Stephanie and their son Roark on many wonderful trips, exploring Wounded Knee, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Custer’s Last Stand, Montana, Idaho, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Bryce and Cedar Rapids.  Kyle was always supportive with his family's many endeavors and was always there for them.

Kyle loved music and took his family to see Neil Young, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, Bob Dylan, Dave Mason, Roger McGuinn, Huey Lewis, Norah Jones, James Taylor, Carole King, Joan Baez, Phantom of the Opera, Utah Symphony and the annual Scottish Festival just to name a few great concerts.

Barnes and Noble and Library Book Sales were also some of his spare time pleasures.   He loved spending time browsing through books and would eventually always buy a book on old gold mines, sunken treasure, history including ancient, American history and American Indian history.  Kyle loved going to the Adopt an Elder Event held annually at Park City and when able would donate to help support their cause.

Above all, Kyle loved making memories and history with his family and encouraging them to heights of achievement.

Kyle is survived by his wife, Stephanie and son, Roark (Tami) and his four granddaughters, River, Aspen, Harley and Bradlee.  Eight (8) brothers and sisters, Ann (Ron) Pyper of Arizona, Ina (Jay) Butterworth Jr. of Cedar City, Rugene Jacobs of Idaho, Todd (Nadine) of Farmington, Chris (Craig) Axford, of Canada, Cilla Garrett of South Jordan,  James (Cindy) Garrett of Fruit Heights, and Kathy Garrett of South Jordan, along with 22 nephews and nieces.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Philip Eugene and Ruth Juanita Garrett.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 10, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road.  Friends may visit family Wednesday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Thursday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the mortuary.

Interment, Kaysville City Cemetery, 500 E. Crestwood Road, Kaysville, UT.

Services will be live-streamed by going to www.lindquistmortuary.com and scrolling to the bottom of Kyle’s obituary page.

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