Garrett H. Oord

Garrett H. Oord, age 88 years old, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on July 21, 2025, in Sunnyside, WA.

 Garrett was born to Bill and Johanna Oord of Zillah, Washington on January 24,1937. He followed in his three older brothers’ footsteps working on the family farm.

His early education started at Sunnyside Christian school. Upon completion there, he continued on to the Zillah school where he graduated.

During his high school years, Garrett played football.  He carried this love of the game on into his adult years, watching and rooting for various teams.  When his sons came along and eventually played for their high school teams, Garrett didn’t miss a game.

He proudly served in the United States Army\Airforce. This was a highlight in his life.  Garrett loved telling stories of his time in the military; especially, the time he served in Hawaii.

Upon completion of his military duties, Garrett married the love of his life, Karen Guy Together, they raised six children in Sunnyside, Washington. He was employed at Sunnyside Cement where they formed concrete pipe and distributed the products to various job sites around the valley. After completing a full day’s work at the plant, he would moon-light working for numerous farmers chopping corn and mint; getting home for a couple hours sleep and head back to the plant to start all over again. He had and expected high standards and instilled this work ethic into his children.

Dad (Garrett) loved taking long road trips. From the time we were little to present. When you got in the car with him, you never knew where you would end up. A lot of times our trips involved watching and admiring the engineering mechanics involved with the workings of trains or planes.

Later, when the Sunnyside Pipe Plant shut down, Garrett drove truck full-time and then part time for Kenny Yates until he got the job at Rosa Irrigation. During this time period, dad took this side business and worked it into a full-time job.  He couldn’t stop with retirement so he continued on with his side business of irrigation pipe repair.

As a father, he taught his four daughters and two sons the art of repairing concrete and plastic irrigation pipe. No one was left out, though. When the girls married, he taught the sons-in-laws.  As grandchildren and great-grandchildren came along, they would follow grandpa, uncles, mommies, daddies and even grandma into the field to dig, mix or hand tools.  Papa didn’t leave anyone out, if they wanted to learn, he was willing to teach. Dad loved hearing, ”Papa” being cried out while working in a field.

 He loved his boating trips with all of the family, fishing, and watching, “The Seahawks.” One of his favorite memories was being a chaperone with his youngest son, at an actual Seahawks game. The Sunnyside High School band was there to perform for half-time. He and the two boys were able to watch the game from the sidelines, meet players and be amazed at their size.

Garrett is proceeded in death by His father and mother, and his three older brothers Bill, Jasper and Jake Oord and their spouses.

He is survived by his wife Karen and six children. Jan (Bruce) Epps, Evie (Sandy) Jaquish, Julie (Larry) Cooley, Glenn (Brenda) Oord, Rita (Michael) McGhan and Garrick Oord. 17 grandchildren and their spouses and 26 great-grandchildren.

 Viewing and Visitation will be held on Friday, July 25, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Smith Funeral Home, Sunnyside, WA. Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, July 26, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at the Faith Community Church, Zillah, WA. Burial will follow with Military Honors at  the Zillah Cemetery, Zillah, WA.   Those wishing to sign Garrett's online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com 

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