Alva Harold Garrett

Alva Harold Garrett, age 93 of Ozark, went to heaven October 10, 2017. He was born March 20, 1924 in Childs, Kansas, the son of Harry and Eva (Wilson) Garrett. Alva attended grade school at Helphrey Country School near Taneyville, and Forsyth High School, moving to Nixa during his junior year. In 1941 he went to live and work at Riverside Inn while finishing his senior year of high school at Ozark. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in November 1942. After training he was sent to Pueblo, Colorado Air Base as a flight engineer instructor on B-24 bombers. While there he met and married his first wife, Lucille Auda Barnes on February 29, 1944. To this union were born two sons and a daughter, Glen Ray, Lester David and Linda Sue. After V-E Day Alva was sent to Clovis NM Air Base to train as a tail gunner on the B-29 bomber. His unit was on orders to the Pacific Theater when the atomic bomb was dropped and the war was over. Alva served in the occupation of Japan at Tachikawa Air Base, near Tokyo. Alva worked in the steel mill in Pueblo, Colorado for several years. After that he became a bricklayer and carpenter for many years. Later he worked at St. John's Hospital in Springfield in the maintenance department. Alva retired from St. John's in 1980. He worked for Ozark Schools for 20 years in building maintenance and repair. He loved the children and wrote a song about the children. He retired from the school at age 85. Alva served on the Ozark Senior Center Board for several years, serving as president of the board for eight years. "Al" loved to play his guitar and sing. He was a songwriter of mostly gospel songs. "Forgiven" is a song he wrote and loved to sing. Singing at church was his testimony to the Lord Jesus. He was a charter member of the Ozark Songwriters Association. Al was active in church during the latter years of his live. He loved his Savior and didn't want anyone to die lost. Al was a lay minister and enjoyed serving the Lord. He often officiated at funerals for family and friends. He belonged to Craig Hollow Church. Al and Lucille were divorced in 1954. He married Bernice Basham in 1958. She preceded him in death. Al married Ruth Cox in 1972. She passed away in 1980. Al married Faye Sartin in November 1980. They enjoyed eighteen wonderful years together. Faye passed away in 1998. Al and Katherine Ann Mullins were married on May 8, 2010. They divorced in 2015. Survivors include: his son Lester David and wife Janice; a sister Marian Jones; three step-sons, Daymon Johnathan and William Ray Scriven; three daughters, Maxine, Charlene and Gwen; 26 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; a large church family; and many friends. Al was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Glen; four sisters, Margaret, Leorah, Evelyn and Monna; his precious son, Glen Ray; his precious daughter Linda Sue; and also the mother of his children, Lucille; wife Bernice; wife Ruth ;and wife Faye. Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Saturday, October 14, 2017, in Adams Funeral Home, Ozark. Burial will follow in Ponce de Leon Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Friday in the funeral home.