Individual Details

Pasadena Star-News, Pasadena, California, October 28, 2007: Garretson-Col. Ronald Becker Garretson (ret) Died Oct 19, 2007 at home in Pasadena, CA. Born in 1920 as the youngest of 3 sons, on the family farm near Salem. Iowa, to Herman John Garretson and Marion Scott Becker. His mother died when the boys were 5, 6 and 7. The boys followed their father as he traveled as an insurance executive to live in Indianola, IA, Menlo Park CA, Seattle, WA, and Winnetka Ill. Ron attended 4 of the finest high schools in the country, Garfield (Seattle), Lakeside (Seattle), New Trier (Winnetka), and Marshall (Los Angeles), where he played football and ran track. Summers were happily spent at Camp Orkila, WA. Ron graduated from the U of Washington in 1943, pledging Phi Gamma Delta, following in his brother's footsteps. Ron earned his W running hurdles. After graduation, WWII called, and Ron entered Army OCS class of 360. Active duty was spent in Italy in the 5th Army, 92nd infantry division. Ron remained in the Reserves, retiring as a Colonel in 1977. Post war years were spent as a journalist in West Seattle, and Indio California. Familial duty called Ron to follow his father to Garretson Mortgage Company in Los Angeles, where he worked until his retirement. Ron married Ann Aragone in 1954 in Tacoma WA, and settled down in Pasadena, CA. Happy family life followed with 3 children, Ron Jr., Cynthia and Catherine. Ron was happily married for 45 years, until Ann's death in 2000. Ron was a gentleman, a kind, quiet man with the highest integrity, enjoying reading and history (especially military). He loved watching sports on TV, and was a devout Husky fan his whole life. He has been a wonderful role model for his family. We will miss him dearly. Affiliations with: Phi Gamma Delta, E Clampus Vitus, Pasadena Elks, Veterans of Foreign Wars. Preceded in death by wife Ann Aragone in 2000, brothers Herman and Frank, and leaves son Ron Jr. (Diane), daughters Cynthia (Rob Shurtleff) and Catherine (Greg Bartz) , and grandchildren Lindsey and Ron Garretson III; Kyle and Kathryn Shurtleff and Julianne and Ryan Bartz. Celebration of life on Sunday Nov 11 at his home in Pasadena at 3pm. Reception to follow. Ron will be cremated and ashes spread with Ann. Call Cindy for details 206-325-9246. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to University of Washington Husky Football, UW Athletics, Tyee Office-Box 354070, Seattle, WA, 98195, Attn: Ronald Garretson Fund.

Birth	18 Sep 1920	Salem, Henry Co., Iowa
Marriage	24 Nov 1954	Tacoma, Pierce Co., Washington - Ann Aragone
Death	19 Oct 2007	Pasadena, Los Angeles Co., California
Burial		Cremated

Spouse	Ann Aragone (1922 - 2000)
Child	Ronald Becker Garretson Jr. (1955 - )
Child	Cynthia A. Garretson (1958 - )
Child	Catherin M. Garretson (1963 - )

Father	Herman John "Gary" Garretson (1890 - 1972)
Mother	Marion Scott Becker (1895 - 1925)
Sibling	Frank Edmund Garretson (1918 - 2006)
Sibling	Herman John Garretson Jr. (1919 - 1998)