Galen Dean Garrett passed from this Earth on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at Integris Hospital in Oklahoma City at the age of 89.

Galen “Dean” Garrett was born on April 1, 1937, in Deaf Smith County Texas to William “Bill” Hezikiah Garrett and Mary Ida Jackson Garrett. Dean started life on a farm six miles southeast of Friona, Texas. From there the family moved to Muleshoe, Texas where they lived from 1942 to 1945 when they moved to southern California. The family resided in California from 1945 to 1947 before relocating to east Texas where Dean’s father and mother had grown up. In 1949 the family returned to Hereford, Texas where Dean attended school and graduated from high school in 1955.

Due to his aging parent’s health, Dean continued to work full time until he received his draft notice on his twenty-third birthday, April 1, 1960. He was inducted into the United States Army on April 21, 1960, and completed basic and advanced training at Fort Ord, California. After basic training, Dean returned to Hereford and married his fiancée, Karan Sue Smith on July 1, 1960. Dean and Karan stayed in Maryland until his service ended in 1963.

Dean and Karan adopted two children in May 1963, Jennifer Jean and Galen Russell (Rusty). His mother-in-law Jewell was instrumental in finding Jennifer and Rusty and helping with the adoption process. Dean moved his family to Altus, Oklahoma in 1967 so that he could attend Altus Junior College. While working full time at Green Motor Company, Dean completed an AA degree in computer science at Altus Junior College and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Southwestern Oklahoma State College.

Dean was appointed as the Business Manager at Altus Junior College in 1971 and spent the next twenty-four years as the college’s Chief Business Officer. Dean was active in the building of the new Western Oklahoma State College campus and the transition from AJC to WOSC. He retired from Western in 1995 due to health issues.

In retirement, Dean enjoyed traveling with his wife and two sister-in-laws, working on his farm south of town, morning coffee at McDonalds with the “bunch” and cooking outdoors for his many family and friends.

Dean and his family have been members of the First Baptist Church of Altus for over 60 years. Dean was a former member of the Lions Club. He held a private pilot’s license and served two terms on the Altus City Council.

Dean is preceded in death by his parents, his daughter; Jennifer, 9 brothers and sisters, a sister-in-law, and 2 brothers-in-law.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years Karan, a son; Rusty and spouse Sabina of Altus, a grandson; Jacob and spouse Riley of Weatherford, a granddaughter; Patricia of Konawa, a sister-in-law; Margaret of Silsbee, TX and many nieces and nephews.

The Garrett family will receive friends from 4:00 - 5:00 PM Friday, April 10, 2026, at the Kincannon Funeral Home. A grave side service will be held at 1:00 PM Saturday, April 11, 2026, at the Altus City Cemetery with Rev. Doug Altom officiating. Services are under the care of Kincannon Funeral Home.

Online memorial tributes and expressions of sympathy may be left for the family at www.kincannonfuneralhome.com.