Dennis Reed Garrett was born June 18, 1932 in the Appalachian Community of Millers Chapel in Lee County, Virginia. He attended grade school and high school in Jonesville, VA. He was the third and middle child of Olin and Docia Garrett.
He attended Emory and Henry College in Emory, Virginia, and Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee, before enlisting in the Air Force in January 1952.
Dennis married Alberta Lillian Runge from Sedalia, MO on July 5, 1953. They met while he was stationed at Whiteman Air Force Base in Knob Noster, Missouri.
After receiving an honorable discharge from the Air Force in December 1955, he enrolled in the Civil Engineering College at the University of Denver in Denver, Colorado, in January 1956. He graduated in June 1959 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering. He also received a Master of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Kansas. He was the first in his family to graduate from college. While at the University of Denver, Dennis was selected to be a member of Tau Beta Pi, the Engineering Honorary fraternity.
Dennis began working for Black and Veatch Consulting Engineers in Kansas City, Missouri, in June 1959. He was employed by the City of Overland Park from 1965 -1994, first as City Engineer, eventually promoted to the City’s first Public Works Director, and held this title until he left the City. Dennis established many of the City’s engineering and Public Works standards, ordinances, and design criteria during this time. After leaving the City, he joined the HNTB Consulting and Transportation firm. He worked in the Overland Park office from 1995 to 2005.
The Overland Park Governing Body named the Public Works Maintenance facility at 11300 West 91st Street in his honor. The naming ceremony was held on May 22, 2007.
He was a licensed and registered professional engineer in Missouri and Kansas. He was a member of the Kansas Engineering Society, the American Road and Transportation Association, the Kansas City Road Gang, a Life Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, and a Life Member of the American Public Works Association. He was President of the Kansas City Chapter of APWA in 1969.
In 2014, he authored and copyrighted a book titled “Windows of the City.” Dennis was a keen observer and a significant participant in the formative years of Overland Park, Kansas. In this book, he spotlights the often seen and underappreciated history of the City’s Public Works department, giving credit when due and offering illuminating observations on the politics and personalities behind creating a great community. The title, Windows of the City, stems from Dennis’ frequent reminder to his staff and city officials that the streets and highways are the windows of the city, reflecting his conviction that the perception of the transportation system strongly influences public opinions of a city.
Dennis took up golfing in his adult life and spent many enjoyable hours on the local golf courses. He made a hole in one on October 13, 2010, at the 6th hole of St. Andrews golf course.
His interests included farm conservation. He and his wife, Alberta, purchased their first farm in 1961 and owned and operated several farms in Pettis and Johnson County, Missouri, for 60 years. He firmly believed that conserving and keeping land productive was important for future generations.
Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, Olin and Docia Redmond Garrett, brother Hansell Preston Garrett, and sister, Lucille Garrett Keffer. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Alberta Runge Garrett, Overland Park, Kansas; sister, Judith Elaine Garrett (Allen), Little Rock, Arkansas; brother, John Merle Garrett (Gloria), Richmond, Virginia; two children, Reed Charles Garrett (Kendra), Jennifer Garrett Hart (John) all of Overland Park, Kansas. Four grandchildren, Ryan Hart (Kimmy) Sacramento, California; Alec Hart (Sarah) Lee’s Summit, Missouri; Aaron Hart (Gretchen) Oak Grove, Missouri; Connor Garrett Phoenix, Arizona; ten great-grandchildren, Eleanor, Henry, Boone, Allison, Margaret, Virginia, Emersyn, Olin, Bennett, Clara; and numerous nephews and nieces.
Dennis joined Valley View United Methodist Church in 1960. In the church’s early years, he served on the Board of Trustees and was Chairman of the Building Committee. Recently Dennis has been worshiping at The Village Presbyterian Church, Antioch campus.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 21st at 11am at The Village Presbyterian Church – Antioch Campus at 14895 Antioch Rd., Overland Park, KS 66221. The family will receive visitors following the service.
The family requests donations to Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF). Checks can be made payable to Breakthrough T1D and sent to:
Breakthrough T1D Kansas & Missouri
PO Box 6809
Hagerstown, MD 21741-6809
Dennis was simply the best at what he did and is arguably the single most important person responsible for the development of Overland Park, Kansas into a premier city during all or parts of four different decades. His legacy will be visible as long as there’s an Overland Park.