In Memoriam: Garth Everett (1954-2023)
Garth Everett, former Lycoming Law Association member and former member of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, died on January 28, 2023.
Obituary
Garth D. Everett, 69, of Pennsdale, died Saturday, January 28, 2023, at The Gatehouse in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Garth valiantly fought cancer for 18 years and succumbed rather quickly over the past month.
Born January 28, 1954, in Williamsport, he was a son of the late David and Maxine Schrader Everett. He and his wife, the former Susan S. Shultz, celebrate 46 years of marriage on November 27, 2022.
Garth was born and raised in Montoursville, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Montoursville Area High School in 1972 where he met his best friend and future wife, Sue Shultz. Garth received an Air Force ROTC scholarship to attend Colby College in Maine. After two years, the ROTC unit was shut down at which time he transferred to Penn State University. Thanksgiving weekend of 1976, Garth graduated from Penn State, was commissioned into the United States Air Force, and married his high school sweetheart, Sue.
Garth and Sue left Pennsylvania to head to their first duty station in Biloxi, Mississippi. Their first daughter, Megan, was born in 1978 at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma and their second daughter, Corinne, was born in 1981 at Lubbock AFB, Texas. Garth became a KC-135 navigator and served in several other roles as he advanced in his career. From Davis, California to Macon, Georgia, to Plattsburgh, New York, to Omaha, Nebraska and everywhere in between, the Everett family loved their time in the military where friends truly became family.
Throughout his military career, his heart always remained in north central Pennsylvania where the family would return each summer and during holidays to spend time with his beloved parents and out at his family cabin on the Loyalsock Creek. Upon retirement from the Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel, Garth returned to Pennsylvania where he began law school at Dickinson College in Carlisle. Garth was Fondly referred to as "the Colonel" by his classmates and was voted to speak at the graduation in 2000 where he sat on stage with former Governor Tom Ridge and Joe Paterno.
After graduation, Garth and Sue returned to the Williamsport area and chose to reside in Muncy. Garth practiced civil and municipal law and served as solicitor for several townships, boroughs, school districts and municipal authorities. He became an avid runner while in the Air Force and later joined the local running club Oregon East with many long-time friends and meeting many more who became lifelong friends.
In 2006, Garth ran for state representative for the 84th district after his high school classmate decided not to run for re-election. Garth served in the PA State House of Representatives from 2007 to 2020. He thoroughly loved his time as a state representative and representing the people of the 84th district. Upon his retirement, Garth was able to spend even more time with his family and friends, his grandchildren, out at the cabin, and traveling. Garth was a super active "Pap" taking his grandson to guitar and voice lessons and coaching his granddaughter's soccer teams. He and Sue traveled internationally often and loved traveling domestically in their sprinter van.
Surviving, in addition to his wife, are two daughters, Corinne (Matthew) McLaughlin of Muncy, and Megan Everett of Chicago, Illinois.; two grandchildren, Riley McLaughlin and Nolan McLaughlin; a brother, Christopher (Deborah) Everett of Canton, Ga.; and two nieces, Jennifer Everett and Sarah Everett.
Transcript of the Special Court Session to Remember Garth Everett
Memorial Resolutions
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF LYCOMING COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
IN RE: RESOLUTIONS IN MEMORY OF :
GARTH D. EVERETT, ESQUIRE : NO.
REPORT AND RESOLUTIONS OF COMMITTEE
TO THE HONORABLE JUDGES OF THE ABOVE-NAMED COURT:
On the 21st day of February, 2023, the Honorable Nancy L. Butts, President Judge of the 29th Judicial District of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, appointed the undersigned Committee to prepare a Report and Resolutions memorializing the life of Garth D. Everett for submission to the court at a public ceremony on May 19, 2023 at 3:30 P.M.
Accordingly, your Committee respectfully submits the following Report and Resolutions:
- The Honorable Garth D. Everett, a 12-year member of the Lycoming Law Association died on January 28, 2023 at the Gatehouse in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Born on January 28, 1954, Garth was the son of David and Maxine Everett.
- Garth was a soldier, a lawyer, a legislator, a husband, a father, a grandfather and a friend. He was also an 18-year survivor of cancer. Very few can match or repeat those accomplishments in life. Garth Everett was a very unique person.
- Garth was born and raised in Montoursville, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Montoursville High School in 1972 where he met his best friend and future wife, Sue Shultz. Garth graduated from Penn State with a ROTC Commission in the United States Air Force in 1976. At the time of his graduation, he married his high school sweetheart, Sue.
- While in the United States Air Force, Garth and Sue became the parents of Megan and Corinne. During his time on active duty, Garth rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
- Upon his retirement from the Air Force, Garth returned to Pennsylvania and enrolled in the Dickinson School of Law. He graduated in 2000 and was a class speaker at the graduation ceremony attended by former Governor Tom Ridge and Penn State Football Legend Joe Paterno.
- As a lawyer, Garth’s specialty became representing municipal clients. That background led to his interest in the legislative process and in 2006 Garth ran for the office of State Representative for the 84th District following his classmate, Brett Feese, who held the office previously. Garth served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 2007 until 2020 when he retired from the legislature.
- Upon his retirement, Garth and Sue spent more time with family and friends. They devoted a considerable amount of time to travelling around the United States as well as spending time at his beloved cabin on the Loyalsock in Plunketts Creek Township. During that time Garth did the grandfatherly things such as taking his grandson to guitar lessons and coaching his granddaughter in soccer.
- Garth lived life to the fullest. His approach to life is described by Hunter S. Thompson as follows:“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ‘WOW What a Ride’.” There is no better description of Garth’s philosophy of life and the way he lived it.
- For all who knew Garth, the words “being Garthed” have a special and very profound meaning bringing back memories of long nights, intense discussions, and very slow mornings. Closely related and an integral part of “being Garthed” was Garth’s invitation of “Let’s have one more last beer.”
- As a soldier, a lawyer, a legislator, a husband, a father, a grandfather and a friend, our Law Association has suffered a loss, our community has suffered a loss, and our state has suffered a loss in the passing of Garth D. Everett.
- Garth’s motto in his own words was: “Higher, Faster, Harder.”
NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved, that we, the undersigned, joined by the Bar of Lycoming County, do recognize the passing of Garth D. Everett, Esquire, and recommend adopting the following resolutions:
BE IT RESOLVED that in the passing of Garth D. Everett on January 28, 2023, there has been a loss to the Law Association of Lycoming County of an able and conscientious member who epitomizes the highest traditions of the legal profession, a loss to the community of a valued participant, a loss to his family of a devoted, kind and loving husband, father and grandfather and a sincere and caring man, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Court and this Bar do hereby extend to Garth’s wife, Sue, his children and grandchildren, a deep and heartfelt expression of gratitude, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that these Resolutions be spread at length upon the minutes of the Court of Common Pleas of Lycoming County and that copies be given to Garth’s wife, his children and grandchildren.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
Resolutions Committee
E. Eugene Yaw, Esquire, Chairperson
Layne R. Oden, Esquire
Kyle W. Rude, Esquire
Joy Reynolds McCoy, Esquire
J. David Smith, Esquire
Clifford A. Rieders, Esquire
