RALPH JAMES GARRETT
Ralph James Garrett, b May 19, 1923 in Marlin,
Falls County, Texas - was a son of Edward Guy
and Hattie Alma (Varnado) Garrett, Sr. He was a 1941, graduate of
Marlin High School, and was enrolled at Texas A&M University
when World War II was declared. He entered the
U.S. Army and was sent to the European Theater, where he participated in the
Battle of the Bulge, being a victim of frozen feet. He earned the ETO Ribbon and
Carbine Medal. After the war, Ralph returned to Texas A&M, where he received his
degree.
On June 10, 1946 in Marlin, Ralph married Betty Jo Albert, b August 9,
1927 in Newport, Arkansas - daughter of Leland Stanford and Jessie Lee (Bennett)
Albert, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri and Limestone County, Texas, respectively.
Ralph and Betty lived in Marlin for a while, then moved to the Robert
Jasper Garrett at Stranger where Ralph's parents had lived for a time. In
1953, the landmark burned, and the couple returned to Marlin, where they
lived until they built a two-story colonial brick on the Garrett property
at Stranger. Ralph has worked primarily as a rancher, but has also owned several
businesses in Marlin - including R. J.'s Store, which Betty manages. They are
members of First Presbyterian Church of Marlin, and they have three children:
Ralph James Garrett, Jr., b February 1, 1949 in Marlin - married Cerry
Coke of Longview, Texas, and had a son, James Michael Garrett, b September 1,
1973. Ralph, Jr. has a near his parents, and he works as a rancher.
Richard Dale Garrett, b September 6, 1952 in Marlin, Texas - married
April 15, 1973 in Marlin to Cynthia Ann Alfano, b December 27, 1952 in Falls
County, Texas - a daughter of Gabriel and Frances (LaBarbera) Alfano of
Highbank. Ricky is in the real estate business in Marlin, and he and Cynthia
have three children: Gabriel Thomas McKissick Garrett, b December 11, 1979;
James Brandon Albert Garrett, b July 2, 1983; and Margaret Ann Alfano Garrett, b
July 1, 1985.
Nancy Gay Garrett, b June 4, 1956 in Marlin- married July 3,1976 to
Raymond Lynn Blocker, b July 18, 1951 in Falls County, Texas - a son of Oscar
and Jessie Blocker of Marlin. Nancy is a talented pianist and organist, and
works in R. J.'s store with her mother. She and Raymond live at Stranger in the
former of the Sanford Garrett, Sr. family; and Raymond is a rancher. They
have two children: Robin Angela Blocker, b March 13, 1981; and Matthew Garrett
Blocker, b March 1,1985.
Copyright Permission granted to Theresa Carhart for printing the biographies of
these Falls County Families to this Web page.
"Families of Falls County", Compiled and Edited by the Falls County Historical
Commission, page 176 column 2 and page 177 column 1.
Member of Falls County Historical Commission.
