- Date Of Birth: May 29, 1931
- Date Of Death: March 27, 2015
- State: Idaho
Homer R. “Bud” Garrett, 83, Boise, Idaho, passed away on March 27, 2015, due to kidney failure. Bud was born on May 29, 1931 in Boise, Idaho, the eldest son of Laura and Homer L. “Bud” Garrett. He was raised in and around the Boise valley where he attended many different schools in Boise and developed longtime friendships.
When he was 15 years of age, his family moved to Dietrich, Idaho. Before school started, in his freshman year, he worked for local farmers. The following year his parents moved back to Boise.
His first part-time job was with the railroad and in his junior year, he went with a friend to Alaska to work on a fishing boat. Since the boat was in dry dock getting repaired, they ended up working in a cannery. After graduation, he returned to Boise and stayed with his parents. At this time, he met Roberta Malmstrom who was a neighbor to his parents and started dating her, but soon left to work in Hope, Idaho, in a logging camp with Wayne and Blaine Stevens. After his return to Boise, he attended Boise Junior College on a football scholarship and worked part-time while dating Roberta. After his first semester at BJC, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and married Roberta, December 9, 1951, in Yuma, Arizona. He served three years, one year in Korea, and then he and Roberta lived in Oceanside, California, Camp Pendleton until he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps.
After they returned to Boise, Bud went to work for the Boise State Police. After four years as a beat officer, he left Boise City Police to work for the State Police. He first worked at the port-of-entry at King Hill and then transferred back to Boise to be in the roving port-of-entry and was later promoted to patrolman. He participated in shooting matches while on the State Police. He also acted as the official photographer where he took pictures of accidents. Bud became the State Police representative for the West-Central school safety program, traveling to nearly all the grade schools in Treasure Valley promoting a safety program. In 1967, he transferred to the Department of Correction, probation and parole so he could go back to school.
Bud worked full time for Department of Correction while attending school and graduated from Boise State University in 1974 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice Administration. He started the first work center in Idaho located in Boise.
In 1976, he went to work for Law Enforcement Planning Commission as a Court Specialist. He later became a budget analyst and in 1980 returned to the Department of Correction Probation and Parole as District Manager II. He then became the Administrator of Probation and Parole and retired from the department in the fall of 1984.
Bud was also a Special Deputy U.S. Marshal in a part-time capacity for 14 years and continued that employment until February 19785 when he became a Court Security Officer for the U.S. Marshal’s Office. He finally retired for good in May 1996.
Bud always felt a connection to all of law enforcement and he felt he was a part of them and looked at all who worked in law enforcement as very special. Whenever he worked, or whatever he did, he had always been actively involved. Over the years, he belonged to many supporting organizations and groups. He participated in organizations affiliated with St.
Bud enjoyed hunting and like all hunters had plenty of stories to tell. He also bowled on a league. After retirement, he enjoyed golfing with the Stevens and Kents in North Idaho and with his brother-in-law, Andy and sister, Helen in Portland, Oregon. Since Roberta insisted on golfing too, she was included as well.
He did try fishing, but proved time and time again that he was no fisherman. He even went to Alaska to try his luck at deep sea fishing on a boat. When he was positioned between two real fishermen, he was “UPLINE” when one of them caught a fish. He ended up doing most of his fishing in the “UPLINE” position.
When he could no longer physically participate in sports, he took up another hobby: Watching football on TV.
Bud deeply loved his wife of 63 years, his daughters and grandchildren. He was very fond of his son-in-law, Jim McDonald. In his life, he rarely, if ever, met a person he didn’t like. They had to prove to him that they were not worthy of his love.
Bud is survived by his wife of 63 years, Roberta; his four daughters: Debra Helms, Kathleen Saunders (Chuck), Cindy McDonald (Jim) and Rebecca Acree; one brother: Frank Garrett (Gayle) of Shoshone; one “sister”: Ardith Huiler (Bill); one sister-in-law: Margaret Bradburn (Clyde ‘Brad”); ten grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents: Laura and Homer L. Garret; brother: Bill Garrett and sister-in-law: Barbara; and sister: Helen Pienovi and brother-in-law: Andy.
The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the staff at the VA Community Living Center (CLC) for their compassion and hospice care given to Bud during his stay.
