Garfield’s Obituary Garfield H. Laity, of Sterling Heights, formerly of Farmington Hills, a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, and true American patriot, passed away Monday evening, February 4th, at his home, Town Village Senior Community. He was 98. Gar was born in Highland Park, Michigan on September 9, 1920 to William and Jane Laity.
Gar attended Liberty School, Highland Park High School, Ford Trade School, Highland Park Junior College and the University of Michigan. While attending Ford Trade School, Gar also attended Detroit Northern High School at night and was one of only four young men in his trade school class who graduated with both a trade school diploma as well as a high school diploma. Gar graduated from U of M in 1943 with a degree in architectural engineering.
After graduating from Michigan, Gar enlisted in the Navy. He spent two years in the Pacific theater taking part in the invasion of Okinawa. Upon returning home from the service, Gar married the love of his life, Ruth Cavan on January 5, 1946.
They were married for over 70 years. Ruth preceded Gar in death on May 6, 2016. After marrying Ruth, Gar began a career in the construction business in Detroit that spanned over 40 years.
During his career, Gar worked for Albert Kahn, Giffels and Rossetti, Trowell Construction, Barton-Mallow, Giffels and Associates and R.E. Dailey. Gar and Ruth were very active in all of the churches that they attended, serving on countless committees and devoting many hours to the ministries of those churches. After Gar retired, he and Ruth volunteered at World Medical Relief, Detroit.
He and Ruth raised three children, Kay, Tom and Alan, and were blessed with seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Gar and Ruth did a great deal of traveling. He also enjoyed watercolor painting, woodworking, gardening, reading and spending time with friends and family.
Gar is survived by his three children: Kathryn Dudek Baran (special friend Jim Filak), Tom (Deb) Laity and Alan (Lori) Laity; seven grandchildren: Christina Anderson, Dan Laity, Elizabeth Kennedy, Chris Laity, Bryan Laity, Kelly Laity-Johnson and Laura Laity-Domanski; and four great-grandchildren: Elliott, Oliver and Ian Anderson, and Gabriel Johnson. The Laity family will receive guests at the funeral home on Sunday, February 10th, from 2-8 pm. Gar’s funeral ceremony is scheduled for Monday morning, February 11th, at 11:00 am (in state at 10 am) at Nardin Park United Methodist Church, 29887 West Eleven Mile Road, (just west of Middlebelt Road), Farmington Hills.
Military funeral honors, rendered by the United States Navy, will conclude the church ceremony. Interment at Acacia Park Cemetery, Beverly Hills, will follow the luncheon. In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions are suggested to World Medical Relief, Detroit.
Kindly keep Gar and his family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
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