John Garretson ’71

Our most respected and steadfast classmate Jack died of complications of dementia April 27, 2023, in South Florida.

Jack joined our class with two from Hamilton Taft High School and 42 others from Ohio. He made his mark at Princeton in swimming as co-captain, multiple record-setter, and All-American in 1971. Jack graduated with honors in sociology, belonged to Quad, oversaw urban work-scholarship programs, and lived with a colorful brotherhood (Barbieri, Hoxie, Winsky, Cutchins, K. Warner, Muther, C. Kemp, and Beeler) in third-entry Walker. Classmates remember him for his energy, drive, and good cheer.

Jack married Tara in 1971 and was devoted to her, their children (Jenny, John, and Tyler), five grandchildren, and his brothers. After graduating with honors at Northern Kentucky’s Chase College of Law, he established a thriving community-oriented practice in his hometown of Hamilton, Ohio. Jack ethically and compassionately focused on personal injury, family law, and criminal defense, including six death penalty cases. He retired in 2016. He also served the community as housing authority chair, bailiff, prosecutor, judge, and probation officer.

Jack remained physically active: scuba diving, climbing Mount Rainier, and running the Boston Marathon. The class extends its condolences to Jack’s family and his many friends and admirers.