Garrett Robert Shier

Garrett Robert Shier, 86, of Lake Havasu City, Arizona, passed away peacefully on January 5, 2026. He was the third Garrett in his family—named after his father, Garrett Amos Shier, and his grandfather, Garrett George Shier.
Garrett was born on March 6, 1939, in Columbia City, Indiana, to Garrett Amos Shier and Mary Ester G. Horn. During his youth, he lived in Fort Wayne, Indiana; Cleveland, Ohio; Lake Elsinore, California; and Glendale, California—experiences that helped shape his independence and resilience. Throughout his adult life, he also resided in Wichita, Kansas; Rancho Palos Verdes, California; Rolling Hills Estates, California; Battleground, Washington; Indialantic, Florida; Valley Center, California; and ultimately Lake Havasu City, Arizona.
He earned his degree in Engineering from the University of Southern California and went on to a successful career as an Electrical Engineer Program Manager with Learjet and TRW. He invented the Cemf responsive series motor control
circuit, and the patent was filed in 1964-02-04 and granted on 1966-11-01. Known for his discipline, intelligence, and strong work ethic, Garrett retired at the age of 55 after a distinguished career.
Garrett raised his family in Rolling Hills Estates, California, where he was a devoted and steady presence in his children’s lives. He filled the household with love, projects, kids’ sports, many animals, road trips to Dove Springs for motorcycle riding, and trips to Lake Havasu for water-skiing. A hands-on father, he made his home welcoming to all friends and family. Following retirement, he moved to Battleground, Washington, and later to Lake Havasu City, Arizona—drawn by his love of the water and the opportunity to be near his brother.
A true “Mr. Fix-It,” Garrett could repair just about anything. He was also an accomplished pilot and found great joy, freedom, and peace in flying. Family remembers him as stern but deeply loving, hardworking, fiercely independent, and unwaveringly devoted to his children.
Garrett was preceded in death by his parents, Garrett Amos Shier and Mary Ester Shier, and by his brother, John Frederick Shier. He was proud of his Irish heritage—now mixed with Scottish—as well as his German and English ancestry. He was a Presbyterian and enjoyed going to Calvary Church in his later years.
He is survived by his brother, David Wayne Shier, and sister-in-law Sue Shier; his children, Tamara Lynn Shier Litwin (Mark), Anita Danette Shier-Bruton, Debra Marie Shier-Grether (Greg), Jon Gary Shier (Reyne), and Gary Michael Adam Shier (Melissa); his grandchildren, Taylor Reyne, Garrett-Ryan, Bradley Allan, Cody, Tanner-Michael, Alison, Trinity-Marie, Jonathan Kaydan, Paria, Gabriel, Mary Grace, Wiley, and Sabrina-Tressa; and his great-grandchildren, Easton Anthony, Oakley Reyne, and soon-to-be Harley Rose. Also survived by his ex-wife and friend, Anita Lora Harris Silverberg, mother of his five children.
He frequently said, “I had a great life.” Garrett will be remembered for his strength, ingenuity, love of flight, and the legacy he leaves through his family. He will be forever loved.