Garrett Foster Obituary (1977 – 2021) – Knoxville, TN

July 16, 1977 – December 19, 2021

Garrett Ottenfeld Foster, 44, of Knoxville, Tennessee, died surrounded by his family on Sunday, December 19, 2021 after a courageous battle with colorectal cancer.

Garrett was born July 16, 1977. He was raised in Bristol, Tennessee. He was a veteran Eagle Scout and Marine serving in two peacetime tours while maintaining the Huey and Cobra helicopters. In 2009, he obtained his civil engineering degree from the University of Tennessee; from there he worked at Parham Engineering Consultants for 12 years. Garrett attended Eastminster Presbyterian Church and was a scout leader for BSA 30 Troop at the church.

On December 18, 2006, Garrett married his sweetheart, Melissa Hamby. He became a father to Indiana and he and Melissa had two more wonderful children together, Tristan and Victoria Mae.

Garrett loved this world and approached it with immense joy and curiosity. Those who knew Garrett will remember his passion for cooking, travel, photography, scuba diving, Notre Dame football and Jiu Jitsu. Garrett has always entertained with his incredible, seemingly endless factual recall, no matter what the subject.

Garrett found his greatest joy in his family and their adventures together. On trips across the United States, from Colorado and Maine to New York and Key West, Garrett has led the charge to find the most unique restaurants and adventures, while capturing them with his camera. Garrett also had a passion for showing the world to his children, taking them on trips to Europe. So much so that until the end of his life, Garrett diligently attended German lessons as part of a dream his family could one day live together in Germany.

Garrett is survived by his wife, Melissa; her children, Indiana Johns (Camp Pendleton, Calif.), Tristan and Victoria Mae Foster of the home; his parents, Karen and John Vann (Bristol, Tennessee) and Vernon and Angie Foster (Kinston, NC); his siblings, Wesley Foster (Bristol, Tennessee), Curtis Vann (Nashville, Tennessee), Quinton Foster (Aberdeen, NC), Amber Kidner (Jason, St. Louis, Mo.); and her in-laws, Mike and Donna Henegar (Knoxville, Tenn.). There are many other loving and supportive in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

The memorial service will be held at the Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 4904 Asheville Highway, Knoxville, Tennessee at 5:30 pm on Wednesday, December 29, 2021. Visits to follow. A private funeral will be held on Thursday, December 30, 2021 at the Veterans Cemetery in Knoxville, Tenn. For those who cannot make the memorial service, the funeral will also be on Facebook Live accessible through the Eastminister Presbyterian Church website. In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Garrett can be made to Scout Troop 30 or the Eastminster Presbyterian Church Mission Program.

The family would like to thank Avalon Hospice for their very supportive care.

Clinch Mountain Crematorium

120 Crossroad Drive, Bean Station, TN 37708