C. Dendy Garrett

Dr. C. Dendy Garrett, formerly of Des Moines, passed away at Sunrise Retirement Community, Sioux City, Iowa, on July 16, 2014. A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 19, at Grace United Methodist Church, 3700 Cottage Grove, Des Moines, at 2:00 with visitation following the service at the church. The body was donated to the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. Born in Pelzer, S.C., to Calvin and Myrtle Caldwell Garrett on November 11, 1923, he graduated from Wofford College, Spartanburg, S.C., with a Mdiv. Degree, Drew University, Madison, N.J., a Doctor of Divinity Degree, Iowa Wesleyan College, Mt. Pleasant, IA and did graduate studies in Religion in American Culture at the University of Iowa. Dr. Garrett served as a Methodist pastor in Philadelphia, PA, Oskaloosa, Kalona, Riverside, Des Moines, Mt. Pleasant and Iowa City, Iowa. A Graduate of Columbia University Midshipman School, he saw duty as a Naval Line Officer during WWII and as a Navy Chaplain in the Persian Gulf during the Korean War. He retired from the military as a Lt. Colonel in the Air Force Reserve. Dendy served in many community and state offices in the state of Iowa: two years as president of the Des Moines Ministerial Association, two years as chairman of the Governor's United Nations Committee, Vice Chairman of the Iowa Council of Social Services, President of the Religious Leaders of Iowa City, President of the Council on Finance for the Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church and as District Superintendent of the Perry District of the Iowa Annual Conference. He served as trustee and on the executive board of Iowa Methodist Hospital, Des Moines, trustee at Iowa Wesleyan and Simpson Colleges, ten years each on the board of both Oaknoll Retirement Home in Iowa City and Wesley Acres Retirement Home, Des Moines. He also organized the Iowa Highway Patrol chaplain program. He married Eleanor Haywood in Narberth, PA, on June 22, 1946. Together they served churches with such dedication and vitality. Dendy sponsored and led youth groups and adults to seminars in Washington and New York City. He served as host-leader to many groups visiting Israel, Greece, Jordan, Turkey, England and other European countries. Veteran campers, they took their children around the country to many state and national parks. Dendy made friends wherever he went and could "sniff out" a Methodist at the drop of a hat. He tutored Iowa football players in religion classes in order to keep them eligible to play in the 1950's. Upon retirement, Dendy and Ellie made their home in Iowa City, their favorite place on earth. They cherished their season tickets to Hawkeye football games, and their season tickets behind the bench at the women's basketball games, and were involved in church and volunteer activities while living there. In 2000 they moved to Wesley Acres Retirement Community in Des Moines, where he served as one of the chaplains to the residents. He led Bible studies, called on the sick, and organized Sunday morning services. Ellie passed away March 17, 2009. When health issues arose, he moved to Sunrise Retirement Community in Sioux City. He is survived by daughter Wendy (Brad) Lego of Sioux City, sons Jim (Kathy Hannum) of Waukon, Iowa, Doug of Colfax, and Matthew(Lisa) of San Jose, California. Grandchildren include Luke (Shata)Garrett of Seattle, WA., Ben Garrett of Des Moines, Emily Garrett of Minneapolis, MN., Katie Garrett of Springfield, MO., Megan and Mackenzie Garrett of Colfax, Carrie (Jose) Munoz of Denville, NJ., Garrett Lego of Sioux City, Annika and Taylor Garrett of San Jose, CA., and great-grandsons Maximo and Sebastian Munoz. The family would like to thank the staffs of Wesley Acres, and especially the wonderful care given him at Sunrise Retirement and by Hospice of Siouxland. You have made his last days filled with loving care. Memorials may be directed to Bidwell Riverside Center, 1203 Hartford, Des Moines, Iowa 50315, The Charitable Care Fund at Sunrise Retirement Community, 5501 Gordon Drive E., Sioux City, Iowa 51106 or Wesley Acres Good Samaritan Fund, 3520 Grand Ave., Des Moines, Iowa 50312.