Obituaries:  Garrett H. Walsh, Sabine Parish       W-420
Source:  Sabine Index, Many, La., Apr 12, 1979
Submitted by: Carl Dilbeck
              carlrad@earthlink.net




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Garrett H. Walsh (Photo)

  Garrett H. Walsh, a man loved by Sabine Parish, and most of all
by the people of a little town called Zwolle, passed away Sunday,
April 8, at 3:28 a.m., at the Fraser Hospital in Many, after a
long illness.

  Mr. Walsh, who has been in forestry work for 31 years, was born
Feb. 1, 1923, in Baton Rouge, the son of Alice Garrett and Sidney
Preston Walsh.

  He received his elementary and secondary education in Baton
Rouge, and graduated from Istrouma High School in 1940. After
graduating from High School, he entered Louisiana State
University in the fall, but his education was interrupted to
enter the United States Air Force in 1943, where he served for
three years. He was separated from active service in 1945, as a
First Lieutenant.

  Following his military service, he entered LSU again, and
received his Bachelor of Science degree in forestry. After
graduating, he worked in two other towns before coming to Zwolle
to accept the job with Sabine Lumber Co. He was Forester in
charge of the forest management program. In 1966. he became
employed by Boise Cascade as District Forester, when they
purchased the Sabine Lumber Co. In 1969, the Woodlands
reorganized, and he was named Regional Forester in charge of all
lands in the North Region for Boise Southern.

  In June, 1963, he married Patricia Ann Leone in Zwolle, and they
were the proud parents of three children, Garrett Jr., Karen, and
Ann Claire. They celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary last
year. Mrs. Walsh is a teacher at Zwolle High School.

  Mr. Walsh was a member of the Forestry Committee from 1962-69;
in 1965, was Chairman of the La. State Chapter Society of
American Foresters; served as Director of the Forestry
Association in 1967; elected to the Zwolle Town Council for two
terms, 1962-70; and served as Utilities Commissioner; member of
the Zwolle Lions Club; and elected as the First Lion of the Year
in 1961-62, and again 1966-67; was a member and past chairman of
Piney Woods Group, local forestry organization; and a member of
the Sabine Parish Chamber of Commerce, a past president and a
member of the Board of Directors.

  He was also a member of the Sabine River Authority from 1966-70;
and a member of the American Legion; Sabine Parish Planning
Commission; member of the Planning Commission for the Town of
Zwolle; charter member of the Fisher Heritage Foundation; member
of the Society of American Foresters; and an Honorary member of
the Future Farmers of America.

  In 1961, Walsh began working in the Boy Scout program, and had
always managed to stay active with the boy scouts, serving as
Assistant Scoutmaster, Scoutmaster, and on other various
committees until 1974.

  But most of all, we say again, he was a member of an unseen
organization called friendship. He was a friend to all, a godly
man, and one who cared for his fellowman.

  On Oct. 15, 1977, Garrett H. Walsh was crowned King of the
second annual Tamale Fiesta held in Zwolle. He was chosen by his
merits and accomplishments, and what he had done, most of all,
for the town of Zwolle and the surrounding area. We can truly say
he met more than the qualifications for this title, and her
served it well.

  Mr. Walsh was a member of Christ Memorial Episcopal Church in
Mansfield, and served on the Vestry for many years.

  Funeral services were held in the Zwolle First United Methodist
Church Monday, April 9, at 3 p.m., with Father James Marshall of
Christ Memorial Episcopal Church in Mansfield, and the Rev.
Lester Nance, minister of the Methodist Church, officiating.
Interment was in the Zwolle Cemetery, under the direction of
Warren Meadows Funeral Home. He was laid to rest in a solid oak
coffin, a part of the forest he loved so well.

  Survivors include his wife, Patricia Walsh of Zwolle; one son,
Garrett Walsh Jr. of Ruston; and two daughters, Karen Gatlin of
Monroe, and Ann Claire Remedies of Zwolle; his mother, Alice
Walsh of Lake Charles; one sister, Joan Walsh of Daytona Beach,
Fla.; one brother, Dan Walsh of Lake Charles; and one grandchild.

  Pallbearers were Dr. R. J. Oosta, John Patton, Lloyd A. Murdock,
Marion Tannehill, J. C. Ferguson Jr., George Crocker, William M.
Palmer, and William S. Hopkins.

  Hundreds gathered to pay their final tribute to a man we could
truly call our friend and neighbor, a man who had enjoyed an
eminently successful career as a forester, and had been very
active and successful in his contribution to civic causes of many
kinds. His leadership in his profession, and in his town and
parish, had been progressive and constructive, in keeping abreast
in the ever changing developments that occurred in everyday
living. This because he wanted to see Sabine Parish grow.

  As we look back on the beautiful life that Garrett Walsh lived,
we know that he left many fond memories, memories that we shall
never forget, and memories that will long live in many of our
young, as well as the senior citizens.

  Sabine Parish and the Town of Zwolle was proud of the efforts
and accomplishments of one of our adopted native sons. We have
lost a great man, but he will never be forgotten.

  Our community is better because of a man called Garrett H.
Walsh.