Cass, long time SOCNET member, has passed
 

On July 4th America lost a great man and we lost a friend, mentor and one hell of a Team Guy. Rest in peace Ken Garrett, Class 0.

Kenneth Garrett

March 19, 1929 - July 04, 2016

Kenneth (Blackie) Garrett was born to Rosa Barnes and Samuel Garrett in Fresno, CA. on March 19, 1929. Mr. Garrett moved to Visalia, CA. in 1936. Mr. Garrett graduated from VUHS in June 1946. He immediately joined the Navy. His service included, among other naval assignments, the Navy Frogmen, forerunners to the Navy SEALs. Mr. Garrett performed 3 combat tours in Korea earning 6 combat engagement stars. Following a brief break from the Frogmen at the end of the Korean War Mr. Garrett was assigned to a series of Special Assignments and ultimately to the CIA while still on military roles. Mr. Garrett performed for 9 years with the CIA as a Military Detailee and upon accruing his 20-years of Military Service he retired from the military and immediately joined the CIA in a Civilian capacity advancing to Chief of Station.

Upon Mr. Garrett's Retirement from the military in 1968 he soon married Mary Jane (Leonardo) Renzi in 1969. At that time the Garrett's resided in San Bernardino, CA. Upon retirement from the CIA the Garrett's returned in 1978 to Visalia, CA., where they resided until Mr. Garrett's death. A graveside service will be held at San Joaquin National Cemetery in Santa Nella, CA on August 11, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. A memorial tribute may be offered by logging onto [URL="http://www.salseranddillard.com"]www.salseranddillard.com[/URL]

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A great and wonderful American. Rest in peace.

Oh, damn.
RIP, sir.
:(

Damn, just damn. Cass was a hell of a guy from what I knew of him on here. He is a legend in my book and one of the most prominent members IMO.

RIP Cass, the world is a lesser place without you.

Ken lived a life few could even imagine. Our Nation is a better place because of him.

RIP Brother.

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming -- WOW-- What a Ride!"


Fuck yeah. Cass embodied the above and then some. We have truly lost an American Hero that many will never know about.

Godspeed old Warrior.

An amazing man who led an amazing life. Rest easy, brother, you earned it.

[QUOTE=gavin;1058579537]An amazing man who led an amazing life. Rest easy, brother, you earned it.[/QUOTE]

My thoughts exactly. RIP Cass

My favorite picture of him - he posted in 2008:
"Me and my friend Tommy Udo (aka: Richard Widmark) at the pre-showing of the movie "Frogmen"; 1951. I am sitting 3rd from Tommy's left."

RIP Cass... A life well lived.

A great American. RIP Cass.

I never met Cass but had several long PM conversations in the past. I will miss his posts here on the board.

Fair winds and following sea to the original Frogman!!!

Damn. Besides being one of the first Frogmen, Cass was a superb human being. Keeper of "The List" for a very long time, he was my go to guy for verifications. The wife and I were just talking last week about linking up with him again on our next trip to SF, CA. You will be missed sir. Fair Winds Warrior......

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

RIP sir.

RIP Cass

A humble and class person. Rest easy Cass. God bless you. Thank you.

Wow. Whenever Ken posted something, I knew it was time to shut up for a second and listen close. His humor always caught me. RIP.

Fair Winds sailor.

FYI: I found these links to Ken's "photo album".

[url]http://users.frii.com/rdruss/PhotoAlbumGarrett.html[/url]
[url]http://users.frii.com/rdruss/PhotoAlbumGarrett2.html[/url]
[url]http://users.frii.com/rdruss/PhotoAlbumGarrett3.html[/url]

We have lost an American Hero.

[I]"The deed is all, not the glory." [/I]

You lived this. RIP sir.

RIP Cass,

I really enjoyed our private conversations via PM.

He was incredibly intelligent.

He was truly a National Treasure.

- Local

Rest In Peace, Warrior! What a legacy for us to follow!

You Sir, will be missed greatly!

RIP Cass.

Thanks for you help and all that you have done.

Your dedication to your wife shows what a great man you were.

You will be missed.

A Giant has passed.

It's not lost on me that men like Cass walked alone down desolate and dusty roads many times in bad, bad lands so that others did not have to. RIP.

RIP Sir..........

RIP Sir.

Fair winds and following seas

Damn.

He was a fine and classy man.

What a thing to logon to see. :(

RIP. He lived a life worth living.

RIP Cass.

RIP. Cass was one of primary foundations of this site, and always had words of wisdom and encouragement. He laid the foundation in his service, that many of us could only aspire to emulate.

One thing missing in his obituary above,that I always found fascinating, is his time in China as a "China Sailor" post WWII in the late 1940s.

He is very much missed. God Speed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5V75DrCaRuY

Found this

RIP Cass.

Never could get you to write that book, but that just wouldn't be your style anyway - a quiet professional.
God speed.