Ray Garrett Memorial & Funeral
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THIS GOFUNDME IS FOR THE FUNERAL & HEADSTONE FOR RAY GARRETT. ANY ADDITIONAL FUNDS RAISED WILL GO TO GREER COMMUNITY MINISTRIES & THE LOCAL MEALS ON WHEELS PROGRAM. MORE OF RAY'S STORY CAN BE READ BELOW.
Ray Garrett passed away on Tuesday, January 21st. He was truly an amazing man. This picture with Coach Travis Perry says so much about who Ray was. He was in school with Travis and the two had a lifelong friendship. Back in around 2000 Travis asked me to give a shout out to "probably the biggest Yellow Jacket fan out there". Said he listened to the radio broadcasts from the minute we went on the air until we sign off - that's almost 5 hours on a usual Friday night.
What I haven't told you is Ray was totally blind - and had experienced two leg amputations - he had a severe case of diabetes that had basically ravaged his body.
Sometimes I would see the Perry's out at The South House or The Clock with Ray and one day Coach waved me over and said "this is Ray Garrett who you've been saying hello to on the radio". Not long after that Josie & I started delivering Meals on Wheels - and as God would have it - Ray was on our route!
So beyond knowing Ray through the Perry's, we got to know him on a personal level. Despite being blind, when I would open his door, all it took was a "Hey Ray" and it was always an immediate "Hey Robbie". He knew my kids by name and never failed to ask about them, Josie, or whoever we had talked about. He would talk to me about the Yellow Jackets, Clemson, his beloved Washington Redskins (he had a Redskins artificial leg (yes he did)) and he was always asking and worrying about Coach Perry. I picked him up at least twice and took him to the Greer Touchdown Club meeting - he was always game to go somewhere. Just go take a look at his fishing trip video on Jennie Perry's page - it's priceless. The picture on this post was at Christmas when Travis gave Ray the sweatshirt he's wearing.
Here's the thing - Ray was a guy who many years ago was as normal as you and me physically. He got sick and lost his legs and his eyesight. Oh but he didn't stop trying to walk. He did walk - he was relentless in his effort. The next to last time I saw him he was standing - alone in his house - making up his bed. He lost his eyesight - totally. But in many ways he could see better than you & me - because he could tell you things that he heard and experienced. He had such a connected and kind soul. And he knew Jesus well. So despite ALL the reasons he had to be bitter, sad, and to just give up... I NEVER ONCE saw Ray without a smile. Not one time! Not just me, Josie and Sam had also delivered meals to Ray and neither of them ever saw Ray without a smile on his face. Travis never did either. Ray had JOY is the only possible answer to this.
The really cool thing about this now - as a Christian - Ray is in heaven today. He can see, he can walk and run around, and share that beautiful smile with everyone in Heaven including the Lord Himself!
We all have troubles that are genuine. But next time you spill your coffee or feel like you're down in your luck because your favorite sweater got a spaghetti stain - remember Ray Garrett's smile - his JOY. It might just change your perspective on things.
The YJSN will have one less listener in 2020, but Ray Garrett will now be able look down and SEE his Greer Yellow Jackets from a pretty good seat. Much love to you Ray, and heartfelt sympathies to your family.
By Robbie Gravley - 1/22/20
Ray Garrett passed away on Tuesday, January 21st. He was truly an amazing man. This picture with Coach Travis Perry says so much about who Ray was. He was in school with Travis and the two had a lifelong friendship. Back in around 2000 Travis asked me to give a shout out to "probably the biggest Yellow Jacket fan out there". Said he listened to the radio broadcasts from the minute we went on the air until we sign off - that's almost 5 hours on a usual Friday night.
What I haven't told you is Ray was totally blind - and had experienced two leg amputations - he had a severe case of diabetes that had basically ravaged his body.
Sometimes I would see the Perry's out at The South House or The Clock with Ray and one day Coach waved me over and said "this is Ray Garrett who you've been saying hello to on the radio". Not long after that Josie & I started delivering Meals on Wheels - and as God would have it - Ray was on our route!
So beyond knowing Ray through the Perry's, we got to know him on a personal level. Despite being blind, when I would open his door, all it took was a "Hey Ray" and it was always an immediate "Hey Robbie". He knew my kids by name and never failed to ask about them, Josie, or whoever we had talked about. He would talk to me about the Yellow Jackets, Clemson, his beloved Washington Redskins (he had a Redskins artificial leg (yes he did)) and he was always asking and worrying about Coach Perry. I picked him up at least twice and took him to the Greer Touchdown Club meeting - he was always game to go somewhere. Just go take a look at his fishing trip video on Jennie Perry's page - it's priceless. The picture on this post was at Christmas when Travis gave Ray the sweatshirt he's wearing.
Here's the thing - Ray was a guy who many years ago was as normal as you and me physically. He got sick and lost his legs and his eyesight. Oh but he didn't stop trying to walk. He did walk - he was relentless in his effort. The next to last time I saw him he was standing - alone in his house - making up his bed. He lost his eyesight - totally. But in many ways he could see better than you & me - because he could tell you things that he heard and experienced. He had such a connected and kind soul. And he knew Jesus well. So despite ALL the reasons he had to be bitter, sad, and to just give up... I NEVER ONCE saw Ray without a smile. Not one time! Not just me, Josie and Sam had also delivered meals to Ray and neither of them ever saw Ray without a smile on his face. Travis never did either. Ray had JOY is the only possible answer to this.
The really cool thing about this now - as a Christian - Ray is in heaven today. He can see, he can walk and run around, and share that beautiful smile with everyone in Heaven including the Lord Himself!
We all have troubles that are genuine. But next time you spill your coffee or feel like you're down in your luck because your favorite sweater got a spaghetti stain - remember Ray Garrett's smile - his JOY. It might just change your perspective on things.
The YJSN will have one less listener in 2020, but Ray Garrett will now be able look down and SEE his Greer Yellow Jackets from a pretty good seat. Much love to you Ray, and heartfelt sympathies to your family.
By Robbie Gravley - 1/22/20
Organizer and beneficiary
Rob Gravley
Organizer
Greer, SC
Sullivan Bros Mortuary
Beneficiary