Conrad L. Garnett

Conrad Lamonte Garnett “Papa Bear”, 69, of Grand Forks, ND passed away on May 24^th, 2021 peacefully at his home. Conrad was born in Washington, DC on January 6^th, 1952, the son of Irene Virginia Breckenridge and James Thomas Breckenridge. Conrad spent his early childhood in Brooklyn, NY prior to moving with his family for his later childhood years in Buffalo, NY. After graduating from Bennett High School in Buffalo New York, Conrad followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the military. His military career brought him to Grand Forks, ND where he met the love of his life Amelia Hulst in 1985. Together they had six beautiful children: Christopher, Kimberly, Anthony, Eric, Andrea and Matthew.

In the military, Conrad served as security forces in the United States Air Force and during this time served in the Vietnam War. Following the war, his military career brought him to Grand Forks, ND where he attended Aakers Business College to further his knowledge in business. Conrad utilized this knowledge as a “jack of all trades” working in several areas throughout his life. He held jobs in security for several facilities in Grand Forks, worked in plenty of restaurants in town, and worked as part of the production team for WDAZ news. His final employment before retiring in maintenance was for his home church Gospel Outreach Ministries. Although he was great in all these areas, his favorite jobs were in the music industry at a local radio station and as a disc jockey.

Conrad’s love of music was not only found in his work, but in almost every area of his life. Conrad would joke and sing with his children, even making parodies of songs. He would dance with his kids or just dance to make them laugh. His other hobbies circled around his love of all creative arts from making fancy food dishes to drawing portraits and even poetry. His lyrical and poetic writing lead to some jokes and humor as well. Conrad was known as a funny man with his great sense of humor and could make anyone laugh. As much as he loved the arts, his greatest love was his family and being “Papa Bear” to his children and grandchildren.

Conrad was preceded in death by his parents Irene V. Breckenridge and James T. Breckenridge, his brothers Thomas Garnett and Ricardo Garnett, his sister Lavel Boone, and his true love, the mother of his children Amelia J. Hulst. He is survived by his children Christopher (Ivy) Garnett, Kimberly (Filipo) Williams, Anthony (Lisa) Garnett, Eric (Bryanna) Garnett, Andrea Garnett and Matthew Garnett, his sisters Claudette Garnett, LaSandra Garnett, and Veronica Breckenridge, and his 12 grandchildren.

The family would also like to send special thanks to “Randy” of Randy’s Towing for his neighborly kindness, Gospel Outreach Ministries, Bishop Cole, the VA Clinic, Andrea Dockendorf, Meals on Wheels, and all of his nurses throughout the years.

A memorial service will be 2:00 PM Thursday, June 3, 2021 at Gospel Outreach Ministries of Grand Forks. Visitation will be for the hour before the service in the church. Inurnment will be in Calvary Cemetery of Grand Forks.