Carol Jean Garriott Obituary
Was a resident of El Dorado, Kansas, when she passed away on July 5, 2023. She was 88 years old.
Carol was born November 16, 1934, at 12:01 a.m. in the midst of a blizzard, at the home of her mother's doctor in Eureka, Kansas, the 3rd daughter of Clarence and Ruth Vining McGhee. Her parents and sisters lived at Teterville.
Carol grew up on the Kansas prairie with her parents and big sisters. She attended 1st grade at Madison School, then family moved to the Flint Hills, where her father tended a group of oil wells. She attended elementary school classes 2nd through 6th grade at the one-room Seeley School on the prairie. The family moved to a farm near Madison, Kansas, where she attended Madison School 6th through 12th grade, graduating in 1952. As a teen she was baptized as a member of the First Christian Church in Madison. Her first jobs the summer after graduation were as receptionist for a Madison doctor and as parts manager at a car dealership in Madison.
She married Floyd Garriott in 1955. They lived in Emporia where she worked at various places, the most rewarding being executive secretary for four years to art department head at Emporia State College, and four years as typesetter in the Printing Department. She divorced her husband in 1972 and moved to Austin, Texas.
In Austin she worked as typesetter at Nelson Printing for 2 years, and G&S Typesetters, 23 years.
Retirement in 1998 took her to the Texas Coast shrimping/fishing village of Seadrift for 13 years. A post-retirement job brought her new skills as manager/librarian at the tiny branch library in Seadrift for 8 years. In 2012 she moved back to her home state of Kansas to be closer to family, locating in El Dorado.
Carol was a champion bowler, animal lover, environmental activist, writer, and photographer. She championed whooping cranes and rhinos. Self-publishing a book of memoirs, "Curve of the Coast," shared much of her life story with many, and she created photo books on Shutterfly, showcasing her photography. In her El Dorado years, she "took back her life" with water aerobics at the YMCA and walking.
Preceding Carol in death were her parents; infant brothers Gean Winston and Rolland Claire; sister Melba McGhee Harlan and husband Norman, niece Vicki Harlan Mackey Christian; sister Gail McGhee Martin and husband Clyde; niece Shannon Martin Hyle; nephew Owen Lee Martin; ex-husband Floyd; brother-in-law John Garriott; life-long friend Hal B. Larson, and her dear friend Lon Cantrell.
Surviving family members are nieces Karen Martin Kolavalli, her daughter Chhaya; partner Jameson Hubbard; Virginia Martin Allain, husband Dennis; Cynthia Martin Ross, children Kristy Ross Duggan, husband Bill, children Will and Kaci; Nikki Ross Teel, husband Harley, children Justin and Alex; Susan Leigh, children Paul Calhoun, partner Jay Davis; April Calhoun Wickwire, husband Kevin, children Katie and Adam; Robin Kane, children Kim and Shay; great-nieces Samantha Hyle Noble; Diana Hyle Platt, husband Caleb; nephew Tim Harlan, wife Kristy, and children; nephew Bob Harlan and children; sister-in-law Sue Garriott; nephew Shawn Garriott, wife Staci and children; niece Lisa Garriott Adams, husband Scott and children; plus many great, great-great, and great-great-great nieces and nephews.
Best friends she couldn't have made it without: Lola Hicks, Lilah Weber and children Alison Young and Scott Young; Carol Lee Roberts; June Cantrell and her children Marguerite, Jon, Alan, and Cristin and their families; and multitudes of other friends she cherished as well.
It was Carol's wish that her ashes be buried in Seadrift, Texas, and a palm tree planted on or nearby. A plaque will be placed in her memory.
Donations in her name to a no-kill animal shelter such as Hickory Hollow Animal Refuge, Leon, Kansas (near El Dorado) would please her immensely.
Celebrations of Life will be held in El Dorado, Kansas, and Seadrift, Texas.
