Hywell "Dave" Davis Garrett

Hywell Davis ("Dave") Garrett, age 86, passed away peacefully on August 13, 2025. Born on June 13, 1939, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Hywell and Sara Wynelle (Moxley) Garrett, Dave carried the spirit of his Midwestern roots throughout his life - with a love of all things Texas.

He was a natural athlete, excelling as a varsity pole vaulter and diver at Shawnee Mission High School. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in journalism from Texas Christian University (TCU). Dave joined the Phi Delta Theta fraternity there and developed a lifelong passion for boats and cars with his fraternity brothers. He was a member of the US Air Force reserve, and received an honorable discharge in 1969.

Dave married the love of his life, Janet, in 1965. He respected and loved her deeply - and lovingly referred to her as “kiddo”. They had so much fun together - she made him laugh. He was an incredible caregiver to her for many years throughout her ongoing journey with Alzheimer's disease.

Dave enjoyed a long and successful career in sales and marketing with The 3M Company. He loved every aspect of working for a well-respected and innovative firm, and enjoyed his adventures along the way - in Minnesota, Ohio, Belgium, New Jersey and Texas. Dave and his family made lifelong friends everywhere they lived.

Above all else, Dave had a deep love of life and people - especially his family. He was infinitely proud of his children and grandchildren. Relationships were everything to him, and he left a lasting impact on everyone he met. He was kind, curious, and perpetually engaged with the world around him.

He had a passion for travel, and was extremely proud of the opportunity to explore Europe with his family during their four years living in Brussels, Belgium. He enjoyed hitting the local markets looking for antiques and collectibles. Dave loved his time on the golf course, especially with his kids and grandkids. He was an avid fisherman, and a terrific waterskier and downhill skier. Dave was also a talented artist who enjoyed drawing and painting. His beautiful artwork of subjects like horses, sailboats, and fly fishing are an enduring reminder of his creative spirit.

A beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Dave will be deeply missed by all who knew him. He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Sean; his son-in-law, John Guttery; and his sister, Diantha Brennan. He is survived by his loving wife, Janet Marie (Gearin) Garrett, as well as his three children: Amy Guttery of St. Paul, Minnesota, Mark Garrett (Alison) of Mill Valley, California and Katherine Kinsella (Conor) of Woodbury, Minnesota. He was a devoted grandfather to eight grandchildren: Kate, Julia and Will Guttery; Langan and Phoebe Garrett; and Annie, Payton and Garrett Kinsella - known to all of them as “Papa”. He also leaves behind his brother, Kent Garrett (Renee).

A mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, September 12 at 10 am at Church of the Assumption (51 7th Street W, St. Paul, MN), with a visitation one hour prior. We would like to thank the staff at Lilydale Senior Living for their incredible love and care of our Dad the past several years. They are like family to us - truly angels on earth. Thank you also to Brighton Hospice for their amazing care of him in his final weeks and days. We are beyond grateful as well to our extended family and friends for their kindness and support of our Dad - the visits, dinners, golf, and rides truly lifted him up.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift in Dave’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org/mnnd?form=FUNRLHHYJGA).

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