Garland Jerome Garrett

Garland Jerome Garrett, 58, of Little Rock, Ark., died Saturday night of a massive heart attack. "Gary" as he was called by his family, friends and partners at Rose Law Firm of Little Rock, loved four things. He loved his God and was faithful to the Christian principles that served as a compass for his life. He loved his family, especially his best friend and wife, Cindy, his two children, Bowen and Haley and his precious granddaughter, Aubrie. He loved his friends, who came from many walks of life, and regarded the time he spent duck hunting, fishing and playing golf with them as some of his most treasured. He loved the law and the people of Rose Law Firm, where he served as the practice manager of the firm's Business Section. Gary was a 1977 graduate of Millsaps College where he graduated cum laude after playing four years there on a football scholarship. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from Southern Methodist University in 1980, joining Rose Law Firm as an associate that same year. At Rose Law Firm, Gary's work included practices in the areas of corporate and securities, commercial lending and borrowing, real estate and debtor/creditor law. He also assisted on litigation matters involving business, commercial and real estate issues. Gary was beloved by his partners who consistently describe him as a quiet leader and their "go-to guy in a crisis" for calm and wise counsel. Gary also served a term as managing partner for Rose Law Firm. Recent professional recognitions include Gary being named as one of the Mid-South Super Lawyers, Business/Corporate each year from 2009-2012. He was also named in the Best Lawyers 2013 as the Little Rock Banking and Finance Law "Lawyer of the Year." and was ranked in the Best Lawyers of America 2013, in the Banking and Finance Law, Commercial Litigation, Equipment Finance Law and Litigation-Securities sections. Gary's life outside of work is another place his positive influence has been felt. For his family, he has been the bedrock on which their lives have been built. He has supported wife, Cindy, in every aspect of raising their two children, from church to cotillion to family trips that Gary planned meticulously as a good lawyer would. For his only granddaughter, Aubrie, he has been big Papa and she has been his helper, always knowing that his lap was the best place in the world to cuddle up and go to sleep. Gary loved the outdoors. He was equally passionate about the friendships that have been born in the duck woods, on lakes and streams and on the golf course. His Brimstone buddies say that Gary has been a leader in managing the land and resources of their duck hunting club and a giant among them. For his ROSCOE fishing group and his golf buddies, he has provided story telling, legend making and spiritual mentoring to the men that are part of those revered circles. In the last 15 years, Gary showed his strength and courage to all who knew him by facing a serious illness that doctors said he would never overcome. Yet, by relying on medical experts and prayer he was gratefully and ultimately healed. Gary is preceded in death by his father, Dr. Davis Garland Garrett. Gary is survived by wife, Cindy, his two children, Bowen and Haley, and granddaughter, Aubrie; as well as by his extended family which include his mother, Joan Bagby and his step mother, Margot Garrett; his brothers, Mark Garrett (Julia); Hugh Bagby (Rhonda); Todd Garrett and sisters, Jessica Bagby; Leah Garrett Bowen (Shane) and a host of other family and friends. The family will host a visitation at Immanuel Baptist Church at noon on Tuesday, July 30. The funeral will follow, also on Tuesday at Immanuel Baptist Church, at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorials be sent to the Little Rock Compassion Center at 4210 Asher Avenue and the music ministry of Immanuel Baptist Church at 501 N. Shackleford Road. Arrangements by Roller-Chenal Funeral Home 13801 Chenal Parkway Little Rock, Ark. (501) 224-8300. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.