Garrett remembered for contributions to Barry County life

By Kyle Troutman monettmonthly@outlook.com

It’s difficult to understate the impact Glenn Garret had in Monett and Barry County.

The Purdy resident died on May 26, 2025, at the age of 93, but his legacy will extend far beyond his life-long residency in the area.

Garrett’s contributions may have best been summed up in 2013, when he was awarded the Monett Area Chamber of Commerce’s Community Service Award.

At that time, Chamber Board Past President said, “I’ve known Glen for nearly 22 years. He’s a man of action, a person of integrity, with a strong work ethic. Glen is humble, generous, and cares very much about this community. His actions prove it.”

Garrett was born on July 6, 1931, in Butterfield, where he graduated high school in 1949. He initially worked at his father’s welding shop repairing farm machines and performing mechanical tasks.

After two years in the U.S. Army, serving in Germany, Garrett began working as a machine operator with Rocketdyne in Neosho. As a liaison engineer, he was responsible for producing the first five experimental rocket engines that later became the second stage of the Saturn missile.

He then partnered with Bill Roller from 1960-1970 at G&R Machine Works, making supplies for his former employer and other space-related programs. The company had three locations, including one in Monett, and employed more than 230 people.

After selling half his interest in the company, Garrett purchased a machine shop in Cassville in 1973, renaming it Garrett Manufacturing and becoming a major supplier to Caterpillar Tractor’s Allis Chalmers division. the company also supplied parts to the U.S. Army, Firestone Tire and oil field industry companies.

Garrett broke into banking in 1974, purchasing half interest in First State Bank of Purdy, as he believed community banks were the lifeline to small business. A new facility was built, and Jack Henry and Jerry Hall were allowed to use the bank to develop computerized record-keeping, serving as the  early stages of Jack Henry and Associates.

The bank’s assets grew from $2.5 million to $25 million in 1986 with the purchase of Citizens National Bank branches in Monett and Pierce City. The three locations merged in 1987 and a new facility added in Monett in 1991.

Through his life, Garrett took on a number of business ventures, from a fescue seed business in 1985 to a turkey farm operating from 1988-1994. He also funded the construction of a fertilizer plant in 1995 outside Butterfield, and he ran a continual beef cattle operation on his farm.

Beyond business, Garrett was a stalwart of the Barry County community. He was elected for 18 years to the Purdy School Board and was appointed vice president of the Barry County Industrial Development Authority in 1992, which has been responsible for bringing new jobs into Barry County, including the George’s processing plant and the Hudson Farms (now Willowbrook) feed mill, both near Butterfield.

In Monett, he provided $700,000 to Jumping-Jacks Shoes, keeping it afloat until its sale to Munro and Company and adding 12 years to the business’ life. He also assisted in acquiring land to expand the Monett Municipal Airport at the time.

In 2013, Garrett and his late former wife, Sharon, donated the Jumping-Jacks property to the city of Monett and cleared it for flood control efforts. In 2016, the park constructed at the location, which includes a playground, splash pad and pavilion, was named after the Garretts, dedicated in 2018.

He and several partners bought the CBA building when the garment factory closed, brought in Big Smith to operate there, and later donated the building to the Area Extended Employment (Sheltered) Workshop. 

He has donated his time and earthmoving equipment recently to clearing property for new buildings for the Clark Community Mental Health Center, and the First United Methodist Church in Monett, where he was a member.

Other donations from Garrett have included $50,000 to Cox Monett Hospital, $25,000 to the Monett school district for the all-weather track, $25,000 to the Monett Downtown Betterment Group, $10,000 to the Monett Community Foundation, $110,000 to the Cassville Branch Library, as well as many smaller donations over the years.

Upon receiving the 2013 award, Garrett said most of his accomplishments “were due to a lot of other people.” He cited his appreciation for the opportunity to help others, adding, “I thank God for choosing us to live in this country at this time.”

Garrett also received the Missourian of the Year Award in 2009. 

After Sharon’s death, Garrett was remarried to Norma Jean “Jeanne” (Terry) Garrett, who survives. Memorials may be made to the Glen Garrett Scholarship Fund at the Purdy School District.