Joseph “Joe” Fraser Garrott, a Manatee County (FL) native, born October 14th 1929, passed away at his home in the mountains of Georgia July 12, 2025, at the age of 95. He was predeceased by his parents, Robert Thomas Garrott Sr., and Nancy McCain Garrott, his first wife of 41 years Maxine Miles Garrott, eldest son John Miles Garrott, brother Robert T. Garrott Jr., and many cherished friends and hunting buddies. He is survived by his wife of 34 years Virginia Boyce Garrott, children G. Michael Garrott, Jayne Garrott Romine (Jay), Daughter-in-Law Susan Elias Garrott, stepchildren Kari Bouldin-Pfeil (Larry) and Kipp Bouldin (Sandy). He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and many dear cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Joe was a 1947 graduate of Bradenton High School (now Manatee High) where his classmates voted him Senior Class President and best All-Around student. He was also named All Conference in football and he still holds the record for the two longest runs from scrimmage on back-to-back drives in school history. He played football at both Vanderbilt and Stetson University. From 1950 into the 1970’s and then again in the mid 1980’s, Joe was known as the “Voice of the Hurricanes” providing the play-by-play of Manatee football on local radio station WTRL.
Joe was well known and well respected in the community for his charismatic business leadership and energetic civic service. He started Miles Trailer Sales with his Father-in-Law, John Miles in 1954 and continuing until the early 1990’s. Joe co-developed Horseshoe Cove RV Resort and River Plaza Shopping Center in the early 1980’s. Joe served as President of the Bradenton Kiwanis Club and was instrumental in the 1960’s and 1970’s expansion of the Bradenton Trailer Park, once known as the world’s largest mobile home park. Joe served as a Conquistador in the Hernando Desoto Historical Society as well as a board member for Manatee Memorial Hospital during a major expansion.
Joe was an avid outdoorsman; a passion shared with his father and passed on to his family’s four generations. As a co-owner of Camp Poor Boy, founded in 1953, he maintained one of the last privately owned camps in the Big Cypress Preserve. Joe served as an advisor to the Everglades National Park Service for the Big Cyress and continued going into camp well into his 90’s.
A memorial service was held on Monday, July 21st at Griffith-Cline Funeral Home, 720 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton Fl. The family suggests that those who wish may donate to their local Hospice.
