Life story Mr. Jeffery O. Garrett, 50, of Madison, passed away on Sunday, October 30, 2005 at his residence. Born September 25, 1955 in Madison, he was the son of Otha and Mary Ann Smith Garrett. He attended Purdue University and was a member of the Theta Xi fraternity. He worked at Madison TV and Appliance, then at Citizens National Bank in its lending department. He was a member of the Madison City Council in the 1980s, served two terms as president of the Chamber of Commerce, was the first president of the convention and visitors bureau and was active in the Madison Regatta Inc. from 1979 to 1996, serving as its president in 1995. He was the first director of the Small Business Development Center for the region that includes Madison. Then-Gov. Evan Bayh recruited Garrett to be president of the Indiana Small Business Corp., an assignment that lasted from 1989 to 1992. In that role, Garrett was involved in the start-up of the Venture Out Business Center, an incubator for small businesses that is located in the same building as the Chamber. He later moved to Indianapolis and started three businesses: ESG Security Inc., ESG Event Services and Motorsports Merchandising Inc. He moved back to Madison in 2001 after selling his businesses to become an event planner at the Madison Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. In that position, Mr. Garrett founded the annual Ribberfest Festival. He joined the Madison Area Chamber of Commerce in December 2002 as the executive vice-president. Under his leadership, the Chamber and the Chamber Foundation received grants that led to the opening of the Ohio River Valley Food Venture, held its first annual Chamber Texas Hold 'Em poker tournament, and began the Soup, Stew Chili and Brew Festival three years ago. He also founded the upcoming Folk Festival, planned for May, 2006. Mr. Garrett earned the Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout Award, and went on to become a Boy Scout Troop leader and was the former Council Chief of the Hoosier Hills Boy Scout Council. He was known to the Boy Scouts as the "Pop Corn Kernel." His memberships included the Madison Presbyterian Church and the Madison Ulster Project. He volunteered and participated in many Girls, Inc. Murder Mysteries, and was the announcer for the Madison Consolidated High School boys and girls swim meets for the past six years. He was a former member of Fair Play Volunteer Fire Company #1. Survivors include his wife, the former Lisa Carlson, whom he married on August 6, 1977; his daughter, Michelle Emilyn Garrett, attending Butler University in Indianapolis; his son, Andrew Otha Garrett, attending Purdue University in Lafayette; his parents, of Madison; one brother and sister-in-law, David Michael and Ann Garrett of Waterloo, Indiana; several aunts and uncles, including those who live locally, Gloria Hudson of Madison, and Doris Staples of Bedford, Kentucky; and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Garrett was expecting his first granddaughter in January, 2006. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, William "Bill" and Evelyn Smith, and his paternal grandparents, Landon and Dorothy Garrett. The Reverend Tim Snart will conduct funeral services at 11:00 AM Wednesday, November 2, 2006 at the Madison Presbyterian Church. Family and friends may call at the Lytle Funeral Chapel from 3 to 8 PM Tuesday and at the Madison Presbyterian Church after 9 AM Wednesday. The Garrett family requests memorial contributions be made to the Madison Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation's Food Venture or to the Michelle and Drew Garrett College Education Fund. Memorial envelopes will be available at the funeral chapel and the church. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jeffrey O. Garrett, please visit our floral store.