Jan H. Garrett M.D.

Jan Hansen Garrett, M.D. passed away peacefully on July 16, 2024 joining his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was surrounded by his loving family at his home in Tyler, Texas. Jan was born on June 14, 1941 in Temple, Texas to Dr. James Marion Garrett and Mrs. Annabelle Hansen Garrett. He loved the fact he was born on Flag Day; he loved his country immensely. His father was a pediatrician and his mother was a college professor at McLennan Community College and Baylor University. Jan was the oldest of 5 siblings - 3 brothers and 1 sister. The family spent many summers and weekends on his grandparents’ dairy farm in Temple where they enjoyed archery, hunting, camping and milking the cows. Annual summer trips to Colorado and Washington State were also a highlight for the family. The Garretts attended the Lutheran Church where each child completed a two year confirmation class attending every Saturday until presented to the entire congregation on Easter Sunday. Jan attended Waco public schools graduating 12th in his class from Waco High School in 1959. He was inducted into the National Honor Society, a member of the debate team, and elected as senior class commissioner. Jan was selected as one of the top 3 boys of his graduating class by Waco High School. Jan attended his beloved University of Texas, graduating in three years in 1962. While at UT, he participated in the ROTC even performing in a parade in Washington D.C. He had many fond memories of Austin and loved his alma mater throughout his life. Jan attended Baylor University College of Medicine from 1962 to 1966 in Houston, Texas earning his Doctor of Medicine. During this time, he met the love of his life, Madonna Sue Jones. She was a beautiful nurse from Paragould, Arkansas working at Texas Children’s Hospital. They married August 21, 1965 in Houston, Texas. In June 1967, Jan completed his Rotating Internship at Ben Taub General Hospital in Houston and immediately joined the Navy as a general medical officer on the USS Bexar County APA-237. He welcomed his first child, a daughter, into this world on July 17, 1967 from afar as Sue could not travel with him that late in her pregnancy. Sue and Jennifer Lacey arrived in San Diego 10 days after her birth. In December of 1967, the USS Bexar left San Diego for Pearl Harbor, then going on to transport troops and equipment to Vietnam and Korea. After the ship returned to San Diego in June 1968, Jan served as the General Medical Officer at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot until June of 1969. In July of 1969, the Garrett family moved to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma where Jan started his Orthopedic Residency through the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center. On October 2, 1970 Jan and Sue welcomed their 2nd daughter, Laura Lee. Jan completed his residency in April of 1973 and after encouragement from his dear friend, Dr. John Walker, the Garrett family moved to Tyler, Texas where Jan started his private practice known as Tyler Bone and Joint Clinic. He became board certified by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons in September of 1974. He practiced as a solo practitioner until 1992 when he and Dr. John Walker co-founded the Azalea Orthopedic Clinic; Jan served as the first president of the group. He held many orthopedic positions over the years at East Texas Medical Center, Mother Frances Hospital and the University of Texas Health Science Center Hospital. He was a member of the Smith County Medical Association, the Texas Medical Association, the American Medical Association, and the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. He was one of the founding members of the Texas Spine and Joint Hospital in 2002 and president of ASCOT- Ambulatory Surgical Center of Tyler established in 2000. He was a board member of PCOT- Physician Contractors of Texas from 1993-2016. He retired in December of 2017 after almost 45 years of practice. Jan truly loved being a physician and was adored by his patients, staff, and coworkers. He often shared his faith praying with his patients moments before their surgery. Jan felt honored to use his God given ability to help heal his patients. Jan was voted the Best Orthopedic Surgeon in 2008 and he received the highest rating given by Press Ganey Data in 2011. In 2019, he received the Doctor Luke award from the Bethesda Health Clinic along with his longtime friend and colleague Dr. John Walker. Jan was a longtime member of Marvin Methodist Church and member of the Pairs and Parents Sunday school class. Jan loved his family, friends, church, traveling, reading, history, tennis, golf, fishing and entertaining. Jan and Sue enjoyed hosting an annual Christmas Eve party where he mastered his well known sausage cheese dip from the Cook ‘Em Horns cookbook. The Garretts graciously opened their home for many community events including the Texas Rose Festival, Marvin Church egg hunts, and a fundraiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. He was an avid reader; he treasured collecting and sharing his first edition books, especially his Winston Churchill collection. The tours of Jan’s library were a highlight for many. He also was a wine connoisseur and lover of classical music. Jan had many dear friends. Over the years his golf group at Willow Brook, the J -5s, probably laughed more than they played and shared a lot of love. Many summers were spent at Camp Waldemar where Jan and Sue cheered for their daughters and their granddaughter. Jan was a loyal Tejas Dad and Grandad, wearing his purple proudly. The Garrett Family reunions each summer brought his siblings together to reminisce about their childhood memories. Jan loved his family immensely. He was a devoted husband to Sue for 52 years. They traveled the world together and built a happy and secure home for their family. He was a true blessing to his daughters who admired and adored him. Jennifer’s husband, Patrick, was a like a son to him, and Jan was thrilled in 2014 when Laura married Matt whom he enjoyed greatly. Jan’s precious grandchildren, Patrick Jr, and Annabelle, gave him tremendous joy; he cherished his time with them and gave them his constant support and love. Patrick Jr. and Annabelle absolutely loved their ”Pa”. Jan was delighted to welcome into the family Mary Larkin Deen as Patrick Jr’s wife on October 8, 2022 and Philip Gardner as Annabelle’s husband on December 9, 2023. After his wife Sue’s death in 2017, Jan met Elen Moncrieff. Jan was drawn to Elen’s colorful stories of her interesting life, her fun spirit, her intellect and her charm. They enjoyed spending time at her farm in Brenham, traveling and getting to know one another as well as each other’s family and friends. They married on December 29, 2018 at Marvin Methodist Church and split their time between Tyler and Brenham for several years before making a home together in Tyler. Regularly attending the Houston Ballet was a highlight for them, as was traveling and entertaining Elen’s two young grandchildren, Eleanor and Madeline Moncrieff. Jan was an incredible human being – so kind, gentle and generous. He treated everyone with respect and love. His infectious smile warmed many hearts. A true gentleman and strong Christian man whose life exemplified the teachings of Jesus Christ in the way he showed kindness and love to others with the most humble heart. He will truly be missed by his family and all that knew him. He was loved beyond measure and a blessing to all. Jan was preceded in death by his parents, Ann and James Garrett and his loving wife, Sue Jones Garrett. He is survived by his two devoted daughters, Jennifer Lacey Garrett Deen (Patrick) of Tyler and Laura Lee Garrett Jones (Matt) of Austin; two truly beloved grandchildren, Patrick Jr. (Mary) of San Antonio and Annabelle Deen Gardner (Philip) of Madison, Mississippi; his sister, Mary Joyce of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee; his brothers, Chris Garrett (Donzel) of Houston, Steve Garrett (Gail), of Dallas and Mike Garrett (Barbara)of Tyler; step grandchildren, Tyler, Audrey and Matthew Jones; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Jan is also survived by his wife, Elen Pharr Moncrieff Garrett; her children, John H. Greenfield, M.D.(Jessica) of Sacramento, California, Caroline Greenfield (Max) of Seattle, Washington, Will Moncrieff (Bradford) of Austin, Abby Moncrieff (Hal) of Cleveland, Ohio and Scott Moncrieff, M.D.(Stephanie) of Dallas, Texas; and her grandchildren, Miller and Jac Greenfield, Annabelle and Clayton Moncrieff, Beth and Ricky Birkeland and Eleanor and Madeline Moncrieff. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff of Hospice of East Texas for their amazing kindness and compassionate care of Jan and his family in his final days. Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Culver, John Walker, Jim Clark, Tom Lowery, Fred Gilhausen, Jim Muse, Jim Knowles, Guy Danielson, Andy Wall, Bill Miller, Joe Bill Belue, Mark Greenberg, Tommy Hyde, Jim Holton, Ken Goates, Jon Ledlie, Dick Douglas, David Nichols, Mike Breedlove, Tommy Stewart and all the physicians and surgeons of Azalea Orthopedics. Visitation is scheduled from 5:00 - 7:00 PM on Monday, July 22, 2024 at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Highway, in Tyler. Services for Jan H Garrett, M.D. will be held on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at 11:30 at Marvin United Methodist Church with Dr. Doug Baker officiating. If desired and in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Marvin United Methodist Church Eternal Flame Fund, 300 West Erwin, Tyler, TX 75702; Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, TX 75701; Alzheimer’s Alliance of Smith County, 3531 South Broadway, Tyler, TX 75701; and Bethesda Health Clinic, 409 West Ferguson, Tyler, TX 75702.

Jan H. Garrett M.D.

June 14, 1941 - July 16, 2024