Garrett Ross Pendergast was born on March 4, 1997, in Lewisville, Texas. His younger brother, Trevor, was born eleven months later making Garrett a big brother before he could walk. Being a big brother was a role he took very seriously….sometimes to the chagrin of his younger siblings. In 1998, the family moved to Leicester, Massachusetts only to return to Round Rock, Texas, shortly before his younger brother, Dylan, was born in 2001. Two years later, Garrett’s younger sister, Miranda was born in 2003. Garrett was a natural-born leader. He led with a quiet determination that was inviting to those around him. He never thought of himself as bold or out-going. He described himself as an introvert who enjoyed more intimate, personal, one-on-one conversations with people. People were drawn to Garrett’s smile, his warmth, and his caring nature. Garrett lived every day with purpose. He was hardworking and strong, yet gentle and incredibly kind. His laugh was contagious and he was never afraid to be a kid again. He had a remarkable way of making those around him feel unconditionally loved. He was fiercely loyal and cared so deeply about the people in his life.
Garrett was homeschooled until he entered Texas A&M University. Garrett was a hard-working, competitive, and analytical rule follower. He was passionate about sports and history. He loved playing all sports, especially football and soccer. He enjoyed the exercise and the sense of comradery. In addition, Garrett loved studying history, especially World War I. He liked learning about the battles and strategies used, as well as the innovative technology that was developed during the war.
Garrett graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics from Texas A&M University in 2019. He spent 2020 living at home and working part-time at Ondrusek Physical Therapy. In February of 2021, he moved to Tyler, Texas, to work as the Facilities Analyst at UTHealth of East Texas. In September of 2022, he began an Assurance Associate position at Prothro Wilhelmi with the intent to pursue his dream to become a Certified Public Accountant. Garrett graduated with his Masters in Business Administration from University of North Texas in May of 2023.
In the fall of 2018, Mallory and Garrett were selected as co-chairs for an organization called Impact at Texas A&M University. Though they both had an interest in each other, Garrett believed Mallory to be completely out of his league, so despite a whole year of opportunities, he was never able to muster up the courage to talk to her. Thankfully, God gave him another shot. With God’s perfect timing in 2020, Garrett learned that Mallory was single through a beautiful blog post that she had written on God’s character and promised joy in the midst of singleness. Though the year was filled with many unexpected life changes, Garrett received some pep talks from his best guys encouraging him to reach out to Mallory. They soon began dating, and Garrett knew that God was giving him an incredible gift. They both learned so much of God’s creative intertwining of their lives up until that point, as God used their relationship to increase their hope and their joy in Him. They had an equal peace and desire to make God known to everyone, which helped Garrett to know that Mallory was meant to be God’s covenant gift to him. After pushing back their proposal timing with Mallory winning Miss Texas, he finally got to ask her to marry him on July 16th of 2022, and after the most sweetly planned day, she quickly said, “Yes!” Garrett and Mallory became husband and wife on September 30, 2023.
Theirs is a story that is and will continue to be cherished and told often, as a testimony to the goodness, love, and faithfulness of our wonderful God. While they were often uncertain of what their future would hold, they knew deeply that the Lord brought them together for a specific reason, and now Garrett knows fully. Their marriage is a living testament of the love God has for the world. With Christ as their strength and their everything, they faithfully lived out that purpose together.
In late August of 2022, Garrett began having symptoms such as tingling in his right arm, lack of coordination, and persistent headaches. The symptoms were mild and could be explained by injury or illness. On October 7th, while at dinner, Garrett felt wrong. He was not able to use his right arm properly, and for the first time, he felt numbness in his right leg. In the ER, they found a 4x4x5 cm mass in the left side of his brain. He was transferred to the Neurology ICU at UT Health East Texas in Tyler. He was initially diagnosed with a Meningioma Brain Tumor. However, after being analyzed by two pathology labs, the tumor was identified as cancerous, specifically, Malignant Epithelioid Neoplasm Glioblastoma. Glioblastomas are aggressive, highly recurrent tumors. Garrett moved under the care of MD Anderson’s Neuro-oncology and Surgical Team.He underwent five brain surgeries, three series of radiation treatments, and three different types of chemotherapy. His last surgery required reconstructive surgery which used part of his upper right arm to replace a portion of his scalp. In April of 2024, scans identified that his cancer had spread throughout his body into his bones, lymphatic system, and membranes.
Garrett was the epitome of strength. He was a strong believer in Jesus Christ as his Savior. At the beginning of his cancer journey Garrett remarked, “God’s not done with me! Whatever He has in store for me, I’m in it for that. No matter the plan, I just want to point people to Jesus.” He did point people to Jesus while having joy through it all – through the surgeries, through every scan, through all the pain. In early 2023, his friend, Cedric, accompanied Garrett on one of the daily three-hour round trips to MD Anderson Cedric asked Garrett what he was thinking about everything. Garrett responded, “Honestly, I am going to be ok no matter the outcome. I’m only worried about my family and friends.” Garrett’s Neuro-oncology surgeon was often blown away by Garrett’s ability to smile through it all. Garrett’s fight was marked by unwavering faith and determination. He never doubted God’s goodness or asked why. Garrett fought an unimaginable fight with so much wisdom, humility, and joy. Even in his hardest moments, he was more concerned for others than himself. Garrett always had a smile for all who entered his hospital room and always thanked everyone when they left…even if they had taken his blood. He truly chose joy through it all.
Below is The Gospel presented in Garrett’s words that he wrote in the spring of 2018.
“I believe that in the beginning God created the entire universe in six literal days, and on the seventh He rested. I believe God created man and that man rebelled against God by eating fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and was thus cast out from the presence of God and has lived in sin ever since. However, God loves us so much that He sent His only son, Jesus to live a perfect life, even while being tempted, taking our burden of sin which we could never pay for and dying on a cross as the perfect sacrifice. Three days later He rose from the grave, defeating death, making eternal life possible for all those who choose to believe in Him and have a relationship with Him. Then He ascended into heaven where He sits at the right hand of God, until one day when He will return and bring all who have believed in Him home. So, for now we are to eagerly await the return of our Lord and Savior and spread the good news of His eventual return among all nations.”
Garrett is survived by a loving family consisting of his wife, Mallory; parents, Ross and Dee Pendergast; brother and sister-in-law, Trevor and Jessica Pendergast; brother and sister-in-law, Dylan and Rebekah Pendergast; sister, Miranda Pendergast; maternal grandmother, Faye Oliver; paternal grandparents, Ron and Doris Pendergast; maternal aunt, Dana Oliver; paternal aunt and uncle, Susan and Charlie Serrano; maternal cousin, Gracie Oliver; maternal cousin, Ty Oliver; paternal cousin, Megan Leeper and husband, Justin Leeper; paternal cousin, Jerod Douthit; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Mike and Jina Fuller; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Morgan and Daniel Wood; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Madison and Drew Evans. He is preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Wayne Oliver; maternal uncle, Dwayne Oliver, and maternal great-grandmother, Hazel Whitlock.
While in our selfish nature we want Garrett here on earth with us, we rejoice in knowing that he is now living in the fullness of what God created him for. We know that Garrett is now walking in the glory of his Lord and Savior. Garrett wanted nothing more than to share the love of Jesus with the people around him and for you to experience God’s unending grace.
