Lt. Col. Lyle John Garitty, Jr. Usa Ret.

A long and fruitful journey has come to pass as we celebrate the life of our husband, father, and grandfather, Lyle John Garitty, Jr. who passed away at his home on 11 Dec 2011. Growing up in a world turned sideways by depression and war, but he never let it stop him; guided by values and morals deeply rooted in family and country he carved out a path in life that eventually took him to the four corners of the world serving his country as well as the people of Maryland for over 45 years.

Lt. Col. Lyle John Garitty, Jr., USA Ret. was born on 29 Dec 1927 in New Orleans, LA, the son of Lyle John Sr. and Thelma Louise (Duelfer) Garitty and brother to Lyllian Ann (Garitty) Stockfleth; all preceding him in their peaceful journey's into Heaven and God's waiting embrace.

Joining the Navy at the tail end of WWII, Lyle served with great pride knowing this was his destiny, eventually graduating from Tulane University and earning a commission in the United States Army in 1949. He then served with distinction and honor for the next 20 years. Upon retiring and settling in Maryland, Lyle went to work for the State of Maryland serving the people of Baltimore in the Department of Social Services for the next 24 years.

In 1956, while stationed in Germany, Lyle met his future wife Carol Marie Pugh, daughter of a United States Army Signal Corp. officer, Lt. Col. Thomas Arden and his wife Marja Mary (Nelson) Pugh. Though separated initially by a transfer back to the States, Lyle and Carol eventually married on 22 Aug 1959 at Ft, McPherson, GA. Six children would be born to that union, bringing a great sense of pride and fulfillment in his life. To this union were born Catherine (Craig), Lyle III, Michael (Judi), Lilianne, Marja Bennett (Richard) and Margaret, giving him 5 grandchildren who were the joy of his life: Danny Bennett, Matthew Garitty, Grace Bennett, Carlee Garitty, and Rebecca Garitty called him "PaPa" and loved him very dearly.

Lyle is survived by his wife Carol, his children, grandchildren, nieces Gretchen (Stockfleth) Thiberville and Elizabeth Stockfleth of Louisiana, and many other extended family and friends who love and miss him dearly and hope his journey into God's embrace is a short and peaceful one. May Deus take vos quod habitum vos in suus telum pro totus infinitio.

(May God take you and hold you in his arms for all eternity)

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Feed the Children, P.O. Box 36, Oklahoma City, OK 73101-0036.