Dr L-88

I just today learned of the passing of our fellow Corvette Forum member and avid enthusiast, Garrett Waddell. I am not sure if this was posted here at an earlier date so if it was, please forgive me for duplicating. Garrett passed away May 17, only 4 days after his wife passed. He was an avid racer and long time Corvette enthusiast.............................. . but more importantly, he was a great guy. Rest in peace sir.

https://www.hcnews.com/obituaries/david-garrett-waddell

emdoller

Rip!

RIKKI Z-06

DZAUTO

Jim Gessner informed me as well as other friends of Garrett's.

This is what I passed on to all the email recipients.

"I am so sorry to here this news.
Let me tell you about my acquaintance with Garrett and Pat.
We initially became friends on the Corvette Forum. And Garrett felt
comfortable with me to frequently ask me questions about various things, but
mostly Corvette related things. I will not go into detail, but he needed a
Muncie built after having difficulty locating someone to do a dependable
rebuild. I did, and he was very pleased. Never having met face to face, we
had become what seemed like life long friends.
Garrett has invited me several times to come to the Granbury Corvette event.
He and Pat cordially invited me to stay at their house for the weekend (not
many people do that for someone they have never met in person!!!). That
weekend was one of the most memorable visits that I've ever had with
friends. They prepared a great dinner for us and Jim Gessner was also there
(GREAT to meet Jim in person-------------FINALLY). We were up late every
night, visiting about everything, just like old friends would do. Garrett
took me out on the lake for a very nice cruise and tour. The Granbury
Corvette event was excellent I had the red 56 with the little red-white-blue
trailer) and I also won a NICE door prize ------------------a leaf blower
which I needed.
My short face to face visit with Garrett and Pat was if it had simply been
another weekend visit with old friends.
A finer persons and friends that no one could ask to have. God bless and RIP
Garret and Pat. Y'all will be missed by many!"

Grey Ghost

RIP my friend!

We used to email each other a lot in the old days. He emailed me many rare, unpublished photos of Corvette race cars. He also offered lots of support once when I had lost my job and was down in the dumps about it.

jim lockwood

I learned about Garrett's passing earlier today also. Heckuva nice guy.

Although not the official cause, I'd bet he died of a broken heart after the loss of his wife.

ptjsk

Sad to read of this. Hope the gentleman is at peace now.

Pat

K2

Very sorry to hear the sad news. I had the opportunity to have lunch with Garrett and his family and they were marvelously hospitable and gracious folks who loved the Corvette hobby and vintage racing. Rest in peace friends, and our condolences to his daughter Sarah and grandchildren.
Klaus n Linda

426 Hemi

He was a stand up guy here on the forum (username 63Corvette) and in person.

Bluestripe67

Sorry to hear of this! Dennis

SWCDuke

I haven't talked to Garrett for awhile, but we had some great email exchanges and telephone conversations over the years talking about cams, tires, chassis setups, and Corvette history, especially racing. Unfortunately we never met in person.

I wasn't aware he was ill, and as far as I knew he was still vintage racing his SWC.

Garrett was one of those guys who carried the torch with passion, and I know he must have enjoyed life to the fullest until the very end.

As I hear more reports of friends, acquaintances, and classmates passing, I think about my own mortality, and maybe some of you do too. Do I have enough time (and energy and strength) to get everything I want to do done? Probably not, but I hope for the best and have planned for the worst.

In the meantime, let's all keep on truckin'.

Duke

mikelj

Very sorry, and sad to hear that, RIP.

Procrastination Racing

This is the worse part of being off Corvette Forum for a few years and getting back, only to find out about the passing of many very good people. Garrett was a truly good guy, and a real racer to the core. I feel really bad about just now finding out. My condolences to his family and friends and to all who miss their friend Garrett.

What prompted me today was someone posted a picture of his granddaughter in his coupe on Facebook. I remember him posting that and one of his daughter in the same car, them years apart. Clearly family was more important to him. His presence here was a big plus, his knowledge of racing and Corvettes always available to any in need. So sad to hear.