James Milton Garrett, age 66, of Mt. Orab, Ohio, passed away suddenly on Thursday, October 5, 2023. James (known to family and friends as Jim) was born on August 7, 1957 to Willie Mae and Wayne Garrett Sr. in Lee County, Virginia. After the family moved to Ohio, Jim attended school in Fairborn. Following high school, Jim worked at a landscaping company and for an electrician where he acquired a wide variety of knowledge and skills that proved to be useful throughout his life. After starting a family, Jim went to work for Dayton Power & Light, first in the gas department in Fairborn, Ohio, and later as a plant operator at DP&L’s Stuart and Killen power generation stations in Adams County, Ohio. He retired from DP&L in 2014 after 35 years of service. For the past 10 years, Jim was an active member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie 2293 in Georgetown, Ohio, where he most recently held the position of Trustee. Jim was preceded in death by his father, Wayne Keith Garrett Sr., his grandparents Levi N. and Ollie Elizabeth Stapleton and Mick and Ollie Mildred Garrett of Lee County, Virginia, his brother-in-law Richard Long; as well as his former and yet beloved father-in-law, Harold Miller. He is survived by his mother, Willie Mae Garrett (Stapleton), his brother Wayne Garrett Jr. and wife Renita, his sisters Sherri Long and Vickie Ferguson and husband Tim; his former wife of 27 years Lisa Miller and their two daughters Christina Bates and husband Joseph, and Catherine Smith and husband Chad, as well as their six grandchildren, Ethan Yaus and wife Chloe, Bryce and Brooklynn Batsold, and Ryan James, Rowyn, and Marley Smith, one great-grandchild, Garrett Cole Yaus, and many beloved nieces and nephews. His family will remember him as a mild-mannered, hardworking, quietly intelligent man who was always willing to help a friend or stranger, and who loved to fish and cook and eat and laugh. Jim loved to make a Sunday roast, peanut butter fudge, and potato candy to share, and he could build or fix just about anything, even a broken heart. His girls will always cherish their memories of family vacations, fishing trips, and ball games. He both loved and was loved, and will be missed greatly. Jim’s family will gather for a private memorial to share stories and a meal together. The family requests all those who knew Jim please reach out to share stories and special memories via www.newcomerdayton.com.