Seven years ago, when Reginald “Reggie” J. Garnett went into a diabetic coma, his 6-year-old son knew what to do.
The boy, Reginald “Lil Reg” Garnett II, called 911 to report that his father was not well.
“Reggie considered [his son] his angel,” Robert Garnett said Monday, because the emergency call saved his life.
Mr. Garnett, 38, died Christmas Day in Detroit, after slipping into another diabetic coma, his father said.
The episode seven years ago occurred when Mr. Garnett first was diagnosed with diabetes, Robert Garnett said.
Friends may call at 11 a.m. Saturday at the House of the Lord, 1650 Diagonal Road, where services for Mr. Garnett will be held at noon, followed by burial at Mount Peace Cemetery.
Mr. Garnett was a standout linebacker for Central-Hower and Buchtel high schools in Akron, then played four years at Michigan State University, where he was Big Ten Freshman of the Year.
During his Michigan State career, he started 39 out of 41 games, his father said. The Carolina Panthers signed him as a free agent, but an injury cut short his career.
Mr. Garnett’s mother, Ruby Garnett, was lead singer for the 1960s group Ruby & the Romantics, whose big hit was Our Day Will Come in 1963.
“He enjoyed people and having fun.” Robert Garnett said, adding that his son served as a mentor to others repeatedly during his life and was a “very helpful and caring person.”
But football was his passion, his father said.
“He did a lot of things, and was good at a lot of things, but he enjoyed football,” Robert Garnett said.
Mr. Garnett lived in Michigan for the past 19 years and worked in the investment field for many years. Recently, he worked as loan officer, Head Start instructor, office and territory manager and most recently as a site supervisor for Workforce Network.
Along with his son and his parents, Mr. Garnett is survived by brother Robert J. Garnett II and sister Robin J. Garnett, as well as many other relatives.
Stewart and Calhoun is handling services for Mr. Garnett. More information is available at www.stewartcalhoun.com.
Jim Carney can be reached at 330-996-3576 or at jcarney@thebeaconjournal.com.
