Garret Douglas Waggener, 23, of Columbia, KY, the son of Andrea (Wes) Feese and Doug (Rachel) Waggener, departed from this life Monday, October 24, 2022 at 10:53 a.m. after a brave battle with a devastating neurodegenerative disease and dementia. Garret was born August 15, 1999 at TJ Samson Hospital in Glasgow, KY.
His first year was a difficult one but after his diagnosis of an immune deficiency (Bruton’s XLA) he began receiving immunotherapy and had a healthy childhood. Garret graduated from Adair County High School in 2017. His immune deficiency meant lots of IV sticks and SubQ treatments, but he was always a trooper and growing up he kept the same outlook -“It is what it is.” At 21 years old, Garret was diagnosed with a rare and progressive neurological disease with no cure or treatment. His family and friends will forever celebrate the grace Garret showed throughout his illness. He was wonderfully unafraid and never had a bitter thought, instead Garret chose to trust his family to care for him, to trust his doctors and to enjoy all the little things. He was at peace with the unfortunate cards he had been dealt and continued living his mantra, “It is what it is.” Garret was so much more than his medical trauma. He will be remembered by all those who loved him for his sense of humor, quick wit, kind heart, goofy dance moves and unbelievable strength and courage. He loved everything: babies, food (especially taco soup and chicken and dumplings), video games, books and movies and music of every genre.
SURVIVORS:
3 sisters: Sydney Waggener, Jade Waggener and Natalie Bardin
1 brother, Alex Nickerson
His grandparents: June & Bob Doig, Ralph & Glinda Waggener, Linda & Tommy Byrd, Jaime & Bruce White and Gordon Feese
His best friend: Anthony Gardener (who loved him like a brother)
His biggest fan club: Eli & Eva Iqbal and Jonah & Leighton Barhorst
Aunts & Uncles: Chris Doig, Robbie Doig, Tracy Smith, Lee (William) Grider, Sharon Waggener, Kara (Shahid) Iqbal, Laura (Jon) Barhorst, & Lori Harvey
Cousins: Joseph Grider, Zachary Grider, Emma Grider, Stephen Green, Andrew Green, Mason Doig, Isiah Smith, Ian Smith, Eli Iqbal, Eva Iqbal, Leighton Barhorst, Jonah Barhorst, Kaitlyn, Dusty and Elijah Todd, Isabella Harvey
Funeral Service: Friday, October 28, 2022 at 6:00pmCT at Grissom-Martin Funeral Home
Visitation: Friday from 2:00pm-6:00pmCT at the funeral home
Grissom-Martin Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
