Jaye Vinton Garrett

Jaye Vinton Garrett, 88, of Downingtown, passed away peacefully on the morning of October 20, 2023. Jaye was the oldest child of Vinton and Martha (Davis) Garrett and was raised in Strongstown, PA. He graduated from Penns Manor High School and joined the Air Force. After finishing BMT at Lackland Air Force Base in 1957, Jaye stole his father’s car to elope with the love of his life, Judy McDermott. The newlyweds moved to Big Spring, Texas, where they had three daughters, Suzan, Sharon, and Laura, before being transferred to Laon, France, where their son Tim was born. Jaye was stationed in Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam, Goldsboro, and Fort Walton Beach before he retired as a Master Sergeant in 1974. After retiring from the Air Force, he worked for Beth Energy Mine 33 in Ebensburg. He served as an EMT for the Blacklick Valley Ambulance Association, and he worked as facilities and maintenance staff for Sts. Timothy and Mark Church in Twin Rocks.

Jaye was 3rd degree member of the Knights of Columbus Council 8307. He was always ready to lend a helping hand and he loved a good cup of coffee. Anyone who knew him loved him, especially his grandchildren. Jaye loved planes and would tell you what each aircraft was as it flew by. He was proud to have been Chuck Yeager’s crew chief.

Jaye was pre-deceased by his wife Judy, daughter Suzan Maus, son-in-law Mark Pasko, and brothers Max (“Mickey”) and Alvin (“Alvie”). He is survived by daughter Sharon Garrett of Ebensburg; daughter Laura Pasko of Nanty Glo; son Timothy and his wife Sue of Cochranville; son-in-law Ed Maus of Nanty Glo; grandchildren, Jessica Maus and wife Teresa Langford and their son Zayden of Cincinnati; Melanie (Maus) and her husband Mike Barkley and their sons Logan and Garrett of Johnstown; Keith Maus and his wife Mary and daughters Avery, Lily, and Makenzie of Vinco; Melissa (Weber) and her husband Adam Finkle of Carrolltown; Carey Garrett of Ebensburg; Sarah Pasko and her husband Alex Gaskey and their daughter Jules, of Delmont; Kate Garrett and Lauren Garrett of Cochranville; his sister-in-law Mary Beth Parana and her husband Francis of Belsano; brother-in-law Pat McDermott and his wife Patty of Nanty Glo; sister-in-law Claire McDermott of Sellersville; and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank all the wonderful caregivers at Saint Martha’s for their care and kindness to Jaye over the years.

Relatives and friends are invited to his visitation on Saturday, November 25, 2023 from 10:00 am - 11:00 am at the St. Mary Church 1020 Caroline Street Nanty Glo, PA 15943 followed by his Funeral Mass at 11am. 

Interment will be private at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jaye’s name to the Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Agnes, 320 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937-8158.