“A servant of the most high God has gone home…..”
Garrett Taft Aldridge, 79, of Johnson City, but had lived in Elizabethton most of his life, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, December 3, 2017, at Life Care Center of Elizabethton. Garrett was born in Hampton, Tenn., to the late Ross F. and Dovie Honeycutt Aldridge. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Garrett Honeycutt and Docie Wilcox; his paternal grandparents, Kimsey and Mariah Green Aldridge; two brothers, James Hoyt Aldridge and wife Margaret and Monty Earl Aldridge and wife Beulah; a sister, Iva Lee Aldridge; his mother and father-in-law, Bob and Jean Ward; and four brothers-in-law, Bobby Pate, Jim Cable, Doug Ward and Clifford Smith.
Garrett was a United States National Guard veteran, where he served as a medic for 10 years. He was in automotive sales and had worked for Sherwood Chevrolet for 25 years, but had also worked for John Skinner Honda and Phil Bachman Honda. Garrett also enjoyed farming and had worked as a realtor and as a contractor. He was a member of the Carter County Rescue Squad for 25 years and was a basketball referee for 25 years and was the referee at the first game Pistol Pete Maravich played at U.T.
Garrett enjoyed giving away Grainger County tomatoes and apples at Christmas, loved U.T. football and basketball, and Elizabethton Cyclones boys and girls football and basketball.
Those left to cherish Garrett’s memory include his loving wife of 27 years, Regina Aldridge, of the home; two sisters, Gereel Cable and Mayme Pate Smith, both of Elizabethton, Tenn.; and several nieces and nephews.
A service to honor the life of Garrett Taft Aldridge will be conducted at 7 p.m. Wednesday, December 6, at First Freewill Baptist Church of Elizabethton with Rev. Nathan Jennings and Rev. Jack Lloyd officiating. Music will be provided by Carol Roberts, Bethany Pate and Melinda Hyder. The family will receive friends at the church from 4:30 until 7 p.m. Wednesday, prior to the service, or at the residence. Friends may also call at the home of his sister, Mayme Pate Smith, 406 McArthur Avenue, Elizabethton. The graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, December 7, in the Rittertown Baptist Church Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Scotty Hayes, Michael Pate, Keith Pate, Jerome Pate, Paul Souder and Joe Fortune. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Willie Malone, Jack Smith, Tip Smith, Tim Aldridge, Len Dugger, Perry Perkins, Eddie Carver, Louis Gump, Richard Hyder, members of First Freewill Baptist Church, the Round Table at the Red Pig, and friends and staff of the Peerless. Those wishing to attend the service are asked to meet at First Freewill Baptist Church of Elizabethton at 10:15 a.m. Thursday to go in procession. The family would like to express a special thank you to the staff of Life Care Center of Elizabethton for the loving care given to Mr. Aldridge during his illness. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to First Freewill Baptist Church (Youth Department), 706 1st Street, Elizabethton, TN 37643. Online condolences may be shared with the family on our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com.
Mr. Aldridge and his family are in the care of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton. Office: (423) 542-2232. Service Information: (423) 543-4917.