Benjamin Camm Garrett III of Richmond, Va., passed away on July 22, 2015.
Ben was born on Sunday, Aug. 4, 1935, in King William, Va., to Benjamin Camm Garrett Jr. and Ella Thomas Robins Garrett. He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Ann Marye Garrett Toler, and granddaughter, Julia Blair Garrett Moore.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Ann Buckner Garrett; a son, James Edward Garrett and his wife Jean; grandchildren, Taylor Camm Garrett and his wife Danielle, Sara Elizabeth Goodson Garrett, and John Garrett Toler; great-grandchildren, Ryan Patrick Moore Jr. and Liam Peyton Moore.
After high school, Ben attended the University of Richmond and was a member of Theta Chi fraternity. Ben’s contributions to his fellow man were too numerous to count. His passion was to serve his community, his state and his country. He mentored many young people and maintained lifelong friendships with them.
Ben served the State of Virginia as a bank examiner for the State Corporation Commission early in his career, eventually getting into private sector banking, becoming President of the Middle Peninsula-Northern Neck Savings & Loan. After a successful banking career, Ben went to work for the State of Virginia again, as an Outreach and Education Coordinator for the Dept. of Aging. He was a longtime member of Abingdon Episcopal Church, Abingdon Ruritan Club, Achilles Lodge No. 28l AF&AM, Tidewater Shrine Club, and the Royal Order of Jesters Court No.75.
Ben had been appointed by two different Governors to cabinet positions on the State Beach Commission and served on the boards of both Riverside Hospital and Sanders Nursing Home; and was a trustee of both the Mattaponi and Pamunkey Indian Tribes of King William County. Ben was a member, Past President and Paul Harris Fellowship recipient of the Gloucester County Rotary Club, and was a member and Past Commodore of the Ware River Yacht Club.
A memorial service will be held at 12 noon Monday, Aug. 3, at Ware River Yacht Club, Ware Neck, Va., followed by a casual lunch. The Rev. Sven vanBaars will preside.
Contributions in his memory should be sent to the Ann G. Toler Memorial Fund, c/o the Richmond Community Foundation, 7501 Boulders View Drive, Suite 110, Richmond, Va. 23225.