Earle Garrett

Albert Earle Garrett, III, of 119 Winston Court, died on Saturday, May 18, 2024, in the Roanoke hospital after a fall the day before at his home in Danville. Born on July 3, 1934, in Danville, Virginia, he was the son of Albert Earle Garrett, Jr., and Evelyn Steele Garrett.

On October 24, 1964 he married Sara Scott (Scottie) Harman, who survives.

Earle graduated from GWHS in 1952. He graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1956 with an A.B. in math under an NROTC scholarship, and was commissioned as an Ensign. He was a member of Kappa Alpha Order at UNC. He went to flight school and received Navy wings in 1957. He served two years flying anti-submarine helicopters, and was recalled to the Navy in 1961 to again fly helicopters to photograph Red ships taking missiles to Cuba.

Earle attended the Marshall Wythe School of Law at William & Mary on a W.A.R. Goodwin scholarship and graduated with a J. D. Degree in 1963. He practiced law in Danville for fifty years, mostly with his father. During that time he served 17 years as a part-time Federal Magistrate, and 23 years as a Special Justice, presiding over mental commitment hearings.

Earle was a dedicated supporter of the Boy Scouts of America and spent over fifty years volunteering with them. His father earned the first Eagle Scout Award in Danville in 1925. When his two sons reached scouting age, Earle III became a Webelos leader with Pack 300 at Mt. Vernon UMC, and later was a Scoutmaster for Troop 300. Both his sons earned the Eagle Scout Award. A member of many Scout groups, Earle earned several awards, including the District Award of Merit and the Council Silver Beaver award.

Earle and Scottie loved to travel and did reach their goal of visiting all 50 states and many national parks. One of his greatest interests was cars, especially race cars. He was a past-president of the Carolinas Region of the Porsche Club of America. He was an NRA certified shooting instructor and provided basic firearm safety training to the Scouts.

Earle served ten years on the Goodwill Industries board, as both vice-president and president. He was on Hope Harbor’s board for eleven years; Danville Theater Productions board for four years; the Danville Planning Commission for eight years; City Council Airport committee for two years; Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History board for several years; served on the board of Danville Life Saving Crew; the Danville Chamber of Commerce transportation committee; and worked on fund-raising drives for the YMCA and United Fund.

He was predeceased by both parents, a brother, Thomas Blackwell Garrett of Chapel Hill, NC, and one sister, Evelyn Bowyer of Danville.

In addition to his wife, survivors include: two sisters, Clara Fountain of Danville, and Carolyn Bouldin of Winston-Salem, NC; two sons, Albert Earle Garrett IV of Danville, and Scott Harman Garrett of Annapolis, MD; three grandchildren, Lance John Sterling Gagnon of Dry Fork, VA, Matthew Gage Rials of Danville, and Katie Ann Carter of Eden, NC.

A service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 25, 2024, at Townes Funeral Home located at 215 West Main Street in Danville. After the service, burial will take place at Highland Burial Park on North Main Street.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Boy Scouts of America, the Danville Life Saving Crew, or to any charity of choice.