Harold "Jay" William Garwood III

Harold W. Garwood III "Jay" was born on December 31, 1947 at Carswell AFB in Ft.
Worth TX to Bill and Eileen Garwood. When Dad got out of the Air Force, the family
came home to Lead SD, in the midst of the Black Hills. Following graduation from high
school in Rapid City SD, he headed for the big city - Denver CO.
Jay enlisted in the US Army in 1967, beginning a career that continued the family
tradition of three generations of proud military service. During his twenty years in the
Army, Jay served in the Philippines, Vietnam, Ft. Carson CO, various locations in
Germany, and finally at Ft. Huachuca in Sierra Vista AZ. Jay retired from the Army in
1987. At that time, he was the highest-ranking Signal Warrant Officer III on Ft.
Huachuca, which he was very proud of. Following his retirement Jay enjoyed working
for Validity, Amtec, Tridium and Z4 Enterprises.
Jay loved his family, his friends, and his dogs. He enjoyed country music, a cup of
good hot coffee, wine with dinner, as well as sipping scotch with friends. A bumpy dirt
road was always an invitation for adventure along the scenic routes in life. He was a
faithful member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Rapid City SD.
When asked how he wanted to be remembered, Jay wrote this response: “a proud
veteran; dependable and honest; didn’t want to hurt anyone.” He was thankful for the
care he received from all his health care providers, especially during the last few
months. Jay ended his earthly journey on March 24, 2025 in Tucson AZ.
Jay was preceded in death by his son Shaun Eric Garwood; his parents Bill and Eileen
Garwood; younger brother Nathan Henry Garwood; maternal grandparents Blanche and
Henry Eyster; paternal grandparents Jay and Martha Garwood, He is survived by his
sister Marty Garwood of Rapid City SD; aunt Judy Bailey of Irvine CA; Rhonda Garwood,
Liz & Chris Bourlier, all of Sierra Vista AZ.
A memorial service will be held at Hatfield Mortuary in Sierra Vista at 1:00 pm on
Friday, April 4, 2025. A service in Rapid City SD will be held at a later date with
inurnment at Black Hills National Cemetery.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Nancy J. Brua Animal Care Center of Sierra Vista or
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Rapid City SD.

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