Donald James Garnett, husband of Linda Palmer Garnett, departed this earth on May 31, 2024. He was born on December 13, 1939, in Cohoes, NY, the son of Lawrence Garnett and Genevieve Cartini Garnett.
After growing up in Syracuse, NY, he joined the Navy in 1957 where he served for seven years on the USS Bristol and the USS Allagash. While in the Navy, he took part in the blockade of Cuba during the Cuban crisis in 1962. In 1964, he joined the Coast Guard where he served for 17 years with duty stations in New York, Hawaii, California, Massachusetts, and Maryland. He retired on July 31, 1981, as a Chief Boatswain Mate and Officer in Charge, St. Inigoes, Maryland. His favorite assignment was two years at Kilauea Point Light Station on Kauai, Hawaii, serving as the last officer in charge before the lighthouse was decommissioned in 1974.
After retiring from military service, Don took up golf and enjoyed playing with other retired service members. In 2007, Don and Linda sold their home in Raleigh, NC, and began their lifelong dream of traveling around the US while living in their motorhome. Together, they visited all 50 states, all 50 state capitols, and 404 of the national parks, monuments, and historic sites. They also visited 11 of the 13 Canadian provinces and territories. An avid golfer, Don achieved his goal of playing golf in all 50 states, with Maine being the last one, and he played several times a week until the week of his passing.
While continuing to travel in the RV part time, Don and Linda made Bradenton their permanent residence. They took many cruises over the past several years, traveling to Europe, Iceland, South America, the Caribbean, and the South Pacific. On the last cruise, they crossed both the equator and dateline, and visited the National Park of American Samoa, their 400th national park site.
He was a member of the Kirby Stewart American Legion Post 24 in Bradenton for 44 years, a life member of the VFW, a member of the Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge, and an active member of Saints Peter and Paul the Apostles Catholic Church.
He is survived by his wife, Linda; daughters, Debra Sylvester, Jacqueline Garnett, and Donna (David) McRee; son, Donald (Kim) Garnett; sister, Carolann (Mike) Kulick; 7 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren. He will be greatly missed.
Funeral Mass will be held at 9:30 AM on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at Ss Peter & Paul the Apostles Catholic Church, 2850 75th St. W, Bradenton, FL. Following Mass, the family will receive visitors at the family home. Interment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to St. Joseph School, in memory of Donald Garnett, 2990 26th St W, Bradenton, FL 34205.
Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel, 604 43rd Street West, Bradenton, FL 34209, is in charge of arrangements.
