Iowa state senator, retired attorney, farmer
Remembering those we recently lost
Plant the first tree in their honor
Key moments and achievements from Julian Garrett's life.
Julian was born
· Warren County, Iowa, United States
milestone
Julian Burgess Garrett was born in Des Moines in 1940 and raised on a farm near Pella. He later graduated from Central College in Pella and the University of Iowa College of Law. That combination of rural upbringing and legal training shaped the rest of his public life.
milestone
Julian Burgess Garrett was born in Des Moines in 1940 and raised on a farm near Pella. He later graduated from Central College in Pella and the University of Iowa College of Law. That combination of rural upbringing and legal training shaped the rest of his public life.
career
Garrett spent 12 years as assistant attorney general in charge of consumer protection for the State of Iowa. The post placed him in a role focused on practical public service and enforcement. It also marked an early chapter in a long career that blended law and civic work.
career
Garrett spent 12 years as assistant attorney general in charge of consumer protection for the State of Iowa. The post placed him in a role focused on practical public service and enforcement. It also marked an early chapter in a long career that blended law and civic work.
career
Before and alongside his legislative career, Garrett practiced law in Indianola and Des Moines. He was also a farmer and retired attorney living in Warren County. The work kept him connected to both the courtroom and the community he represented.
career
Before and alongside his legislative career, Garrett practiced law in Indianola and Des Moines. He was also a farmer and retired attorney living in Warren County. The work kept him connected to both the courtroom and the community he represented.
service
Garrett was active in the Warren County Republican Central Committee for more than 40 years. He also twice served as Ronald Reagan’s campaign chairman in Iowa’s former 5th congressional district. Those roles made him a steady presence in local Republican politics long before he entered the Legislature.
service
Garrett was active in the Warren County Republican Central Committee for more than 40 years. He also twice served as Ronald Reagan’s campaign chairman in Iowa’s former 5th congressional district. Those roles made him a steady presence in local Republican politics long before he entered the Legislature.
service
Garrett coached Little League and soccer and served on the Indianola Little League Board of Directors. He also coached middle school mock trial teams, and two of those teams reached the state tournament. The work showed how much of his public life was spent mentoring young people outside formal politics.
service
Garrett coached Little League and soccer and served on the Indianola Little League Board of Directors. He also coached middle school mock trial teams, and two of those teams reached the state tournament. The work showed how much of his public life was spent mentoring young people outside formal politics.
election
Garrett was first elected to the Iowa House of Representatives in November 2011. He served in the House during the 84th General Assembly. The victory began his late-career run in state government.
election
Garrett was first elected to the Iowa House of Representatives in November 2011. He served in the House during the 84th General Assembly. The victory began his late-career run in state government.
election
Garrett won a special election in November 2013 to the Iowa Senate. He represented Senate District 11 as a Republican from Warren County. He then served in the Senate from the 85th through the 91st General Assemblies.
election
Garrett won a special election in November 2013 to the Iowa Senate. He represented Senate District 11 as a Republican from Warren County. He then served in the Senate from the 85th through the 91st General Assemblies.
honor
On April 16, 2026, the Iowa Senate adopted Senate Resolution 114 honoring Garrett for his service. The journal recorded that the chamber rose and expressed its tribute before adopting the resolution. The tribute underscored the respect he had earned over years in the chamber.
honor
On April 16, 2026, the Iowa Senate adopted Senate Resolution 114 honoring Garrett for his service. The journal recorded that the chamber rose and expressed its tribute before adopting the resolution. The tribute underscored the respect he had earned over years in the chamber.
death
Garrett died on Monday, June 8, 2026, in Des Moines after a battle with cancer. He was 85. His death closed a career that had stretched from farm life near Pella to the Iowa Senate.
death
Garrett died on Monday, June 8, 2026, in Des Moines after a battle with cancer. He was 85. His death closed a career that had stretched from farm life near Pella to the Iowa Senate.
Julian Garrett passed away
