Garrett P. Wonders

Lt. JG Garrett P. Wonders, 25, of 12 Marrington Circle, Goose Creek, South Carolina, 29445, died March 10, 2004 as a result of injuries sustained after being struck by a pick up truck while he was bicycling. Garrett was born on October 24, 1978 in Warren, Ohio. He was the son of John and Shelley Wonders. Garrett was a 1997 graduate of Warren G. Harding High School, where he was captain of the swim team, captain of the cross- country team, played multiple instruments in the band, and was the Raider mascot for four years. He also represented Harding at Boys State and was an Academic All-American in swimming. He graduated magma cum laude from The Ohio State University, May 2000, with a Bachelors of Science in Engineering Physics. In May 2001, Garrett graduated with a Masters in Nuclear Engineering from The Ohio State University. During his studies he completed an internship at Argonne National Laboratory in Chicago, Illinois. He also completed a student exchange program at the German National Laboratory in Julich, Germany. On July 23, 2001, Garrett was commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy. He was assigned as an instructor at the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command in Charleston, South Carolina. He had resided in Charleston, South Carolina for two and a half years. Garrett was an exceptional athlete who competed in marathons, triathlons, and adventure races, but developed into a road cyclist who was moving up the professional circuit. While in Columbus, he raced on The Ohio State University Cycling Team, where he competed at Collegiate Nationals in 2001. While in Charleston, Garrett raced for Charleston Velo, Carolina Volkswagon, and the Hincapie Sportswear-Binacchi Team. During the 2003 season, Garrett was a member of the United States Elite National Military Cycling Team, where he competed in the United States Elite Nationals and German Stage Races. He was in training for the United States Olympic Trials to be held in June. His loving wife Terri Elliott Wonders, who he married on June 24, 2000, survives Garrett. He is also survived by his parents, John and Shelley Wonders, one brother, Jesse Wonders and wife Jennifer, grandparents, Herbert and Betty Daugherty and William and Patricia Wonders, in-laws Katherine and Richard Clark, Rush and Kathleen Elliott, brother-in-law Rush Elliott and wife Meryl-Lee, nephew Rush Jr., nieces Noelle, Autumn, Leanda, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. His grandmother, Lucile Sheldon Daugherty, precedes him in death. Services for Garrett will be held in Warren, Ohio at the Warren G. Harding High School Field House, on Monday, March 15. Calling hours will be from 3:00-7:00 PM, and will be followed by a memorial service at 7:00 PM. A memorial service will also be held in Charleston on Friday, March 19, at American Legion Post #112 on Spruill Avenue. Visitation will be from 4:00-6:00 PM and 7:00-9:00 PM, with a memorial service at 6:00 PM. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions should be sent to the Garrett Wonders Memorial Fund, in care of South Carolina Federal Credit Union, P.O. Box 190012, North Charleston, 29419. Reference Account #1154012. McFarland and Son Funeral Home, 271 North Park Avenue, Warren, Ohio 44481 is handling local arrangements. Send condolences and view this obituary at www.mcfarlandfuneral.com.