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Garth D. Everett: Late lawmaker recalled as a committed public servant

Charley Hall recalled how Garth Everett would send him photos of lighthouses from different places he visited during his retirement years traveling.

"I always thought that was a kind of a neat thing that he remembered I liked lighthouses," said Hall, who served many years as district office administrator for the late Republican lawmaker. "That was an example of how he cared and thought about people."

Everett, a 14-year state House member, died Jan. 28.

Hall referred to Everett as a humble person who was not in the state Legislature as means of furthering his own agenda or career.

"In our office it was always we. What are we going to do," Hall said.

A favorite saying around the office was: "A chain is often as strong as its weakest link."

He believed, Hall said, that the staff he assembled for his 84th District offices was the key to making everything work.

"He would say with a laugh. He was

always for the people, never for himself," Hall said.

Hall noted Everett's 20-year Air Force career as an officer possibly prepared him for his career as a state lawmaker.

"It didn't surprise me how hard Garth worked as a public official," he said. "I remembered how hard he worked on his first campaign."

Everett's belief, Hall said, was that accomplishments were the result of teamwork and that his life worked easier because of the people who worked for him.

Lycoming County Commissioner Rick Mirabito, a former Democratic state lawmaker, said Everett was an advocate for the constituents of his 84th House District.

"I served with Garth in the House. While we didn't always agree on every issue, we always had a good communication and a good discussion about issues," he said. "He cared about his community a lot."

Mirabito said he was sad to hear of Everett's passing.

Lycoming County register and recorder Dave Huffman said Everett was an honorable person and a good representative for the 84th District.

"I always felt comfortable with him in that position. He gave you a certain amount of comfort," he said.

"I have been a member of the Republican State Committee for 20 years. There were lunches I had with him. We had a pretty good relationship. I don't really think anybody had anything bad to say about him."

Everett, he said, was not afraid to be candid and honest.

"He would tell it like it was. He was very direct. Some people don't like that approach," he said. "You have to say overall he was an all-around good person."

State Sen. Gene Yaw, R-Loyalsock Township, said he was saddened to hear of Everett's death.

"I knew Garth for many years before he was a state legislator. We both graduated from Montoursville High School, and he always jokingly made a point to let everyone know that I graduated way before he did," he stated.

Yaw noted that he and Everett each served in the military, worked together in the same law firm, and crossed paths many times over the years.

"We were both members of the Penn College Board of Directors, members of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania Board of Directors and the Chesapeake Bay Commission Board of Directors. Although there were times when we didn't speak often with one another because our schedules differed, when we did get together, after about five minutes, we were up to speed and on the same page. That working relationship was invaluable to our representation of our constituents.

"To have known him and to have enjoyed his personality and lighthearted character was truly a privilege," Yaw continued. "I will miss my friend. I offer my condolences to his wife, Sue, his family and many, many friends."

State Rep. Clint Owlett, R-Wellsboro, called Everett a "good public servant."

"He worked on issues that were meaningful to the people of Lycoming County and surrounding areas, looking for solutions that would improve the quality of life and opportunities in his district and across the Commonwealth," Owlett said.

State Rep. Joe Hamm, R-Hepburn Township, said Everett treasured his family above everything and was the most "genuine person" he ever knew -- the same person whether at work or in a social setting.

"He was a committed public servant," Hamm said. "He was committed to making Pennsylvania a better place to live, raise a family, and retire to."

He said Everett was a natural leader.

"There is no question his 20 years in the Air Force and being a lieutenant colonel shaped the man he was," he added.

Hall said Everett was simply someone for an aspiring lawmaker to hold up as a role model.

"The 14 years I worked with Garth Everett were the best 14 years of my career and life," he said. "I never felt I worked for him. I worked with him."

He was "one of those people that if you met him, you couldn't help but like him," Hall said,