Obituary for Michael Garrity

Michael R. Garrity, resident of Ponca City, Passed away on Sunday, September 6, 2015. He was 63. Funeral services will be held Friday, September 11, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church with Reverend Mike Smith officiating. Viewing will be available at Trout Funeral Home on Wednesday and Thursday until 8:00 p.m.

Mike was born on February 4, 1952 in McAllen, Texas to Marcia Jean Kittinger Garrity and George Garrity, Jr. His early schooling was in Pharr, Texas. In 1968, his family moved to Ponca City where he graduated from Ponca City High School with the class of 1970. In 1972, Mike enlisted in the United States Navy and served on active duty until 1976, assigned to the Navy Investigative Service (now referred to NCIS). He was stationed in Charleston, SC until his discharge from active service, Mike continued his service in the U.S. Navy Reserve after returning to Ponca City and was employed by Stewart Supply, until he accepted the appointment to active U.S. Navy service in 1978 as a Temporary Active Reservist. Over the next several years, he was an Administrative Assistant and Manpower Analyst to the Chief of Naval Reserve in New Orleans, LA, Portland, ME, and Tulsa, OK. He retired from the Navy in 1995, completing his service in New Orleans, which he considered his second home.

On January 15, 1977, Mike married Lou Ann Irons in Ponca City and she became a true blue Navy Wife, by his side at every posting. After Mike’s retirement from the Navy, Lou Ann and Mike both continued to work in the defense industry retiring again in 2013 and moving to Ponca City to reestablish their home and be close to family.

Mike and Lou Ann loved gardening, cooking and decorating, which was apparent in the beautiful homes they had wherever they lived. They also enjoyed traveling. Because of their Navy career, they were able to travel to many parts of the country together.

Mike is survived by his wife of 38 years, Lou Ann. Brothers: Mitch Garrity and wife Deanna, Mark Garrity, and Matt Garrity and wife Teresa. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Marjorie Irons, sister-in-law, Adonna Glover and partner Steve Barabasz, brother-in-law, Jeffery Irons and wife Betty. He was especially close to his nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. They are: Tricia Rinehart and her boys, Collin and Carter, Tracy Garrity and her daughter Addison, Marlana Garrity and her children Kobe, Brendon, and Ty. Also, Tanya O’Grady and husband Kenny, Robert Irons and wife Tomonica and their son, Silas. Mike is also survived by a special "chosen" brother, Jose Brown of Texas.

Memorial contributions may be made to Ponca City First United Methodist Church and St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

Pallbearers are: Keith English, Skip Phair, Stan Bivin, Tom Sattre, Ryan Sattre, and Craig Sattre. Honorary pallbearers are Collin Rinehart and Carter Rinehart.

The family will be at 2308 El Camino, Ponca City.

IDS, I love you.

Source: Trout Funeral Home