Dr. David Lee Garrett Jr.

Dr. Garrett passed peacefully Monday evening December 30, 2019. Services honoring Dr. Garrett are listed below and please feel free to leave notes of condolences for the family on our online register book. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations to the following organizations: The National Kidney Foundation of Michigan 1169 Oak Valley Drive Ann Arbor, MI 48108 Morehouse College--Detroit Alumni Association Envelopes for each are available at Kemp Funeral Home. Dr. David L. Garrett, Jr. was born in San Antonio, TX on September 22, 1944 to David and Callie Garrett, who preceded him in death. He was the eldest of four children. The family was raised in Longview, TX, where David displayed prodigious talent as a scholar and mathematician. After graduating high school, he enrolled at Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA and graduated with a B.S. degree in Chemistry in 1967, the last graduating class of the esteemed Dr. Benjamin E. Mays. David adored Morehouse College. While there, he earned the Merrill European Fellow and studied abroad at the Université de Nantes for 2 years, where he became fluent in French. Also, he was considered one of “McBay’s Boys,” Morehouse students who earned their Ph.D., under the tutelage of Dr. Henry C. McBay, Professor of Chemistry. He graduated circa 1967 Magna Cum Laude majoring in Chemistry with a minor in Mathematics. Upon leaving Morehouse, he earned his Master of Science in 1969 and his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry at the University of Iowa in 1972, and then his Master of Business Administration from Michigan State University in 1981. David began his professional career as a physical chemist at Kodak in Rochester, NY. From there, he began a long career in the automotive industry where he worked for Ford Motor Company for several years and ultimately joined General Motors, and finally Delphi Automotive Group from where he retired in 2007. David was a scientist through and through, who held several senior executive roles throughout his career. His positions included Chemist, Principle Research Associate, Chief Engineer, Proving Grounds Manager, and Advanced Development Director. He was a pioneer in his field, a proud mentor, thought leader and innovator in chemical engineering sciences, holding four patents from his research work. David had a special skill for recruiting top notch African American talent into GM / Delphi. During his career, he also taught chemistry classes at Rochester Institute of Technology, Wayne State University, and Lawrence Institute of Technology. David became a member of the Graduate Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Theta Omicron Chapter of Rochester, NY on May 18, 1974. His brotherhood was one that he was extremely proud of and represented everywhere he went. David was a man with many diverse interests. He was passionate about golf, arranging trips with his friends to destination courses in several states. He played baseball at Morehouse College. He watched a lot of football, and remained a loyal, but eternally frustrated, Detroit Lions fan, but his favorite team was “The Dallas Cowboys.” David was a man of action. He started a golf league and the senior bridge club at Hope Church. He was a thirty-year member of The Moors. He was so fond of this Detroit men’s social club he sponsored several men for membership. He was a fierce advocate for education … And he walked the walk. David was appointed to the Board of Education for Birmingham Public Schools, and in 1994 was the first African American elected the Birmingham School Board, where he served for 13 years. He was also very funny. David was known for speaking volumes without uttering a single word. His facial expressions (and those eyebrows) said it all! He was an armchair political pundit, clocking countless hours watching MSNBC. He enjoyed the simple pleasures of good food, the wonder of science, and the precise nature of mathematics. David also loved children ... all children. He was always eager to play, joke, show affection, quiz and teach every child and he encountered. He would wax poetic and tell them ALL how they should attend Morehouse or Spelman. David found his strength and compass in the Lord. He was baptized at a young age at St. Mark CME Church in Longview, TX, was a member of Carter CME, in Detroit, later joining Hope United Methodist Church of Southfield, where he continued to witness his faith. At Hope, he was a Sunday School teacher, and served as Superintendent. He was also active in The Higher Education Campus ministry and The United Methodist Men. David went peacefully home to the Lord on December 30, 2019 surrounded by his devoted wife, children, and close friends.

Dr. David Lee Garrett Jr.

September 22, 1944 - December 30, 2019