Their Story
Remembering Garrett Pearson.
Husband. Father. Son. Brother. Marine. Man of Faith. Friend.
Captain Garrett Pearson was a phenomenal husband, father, son, brother, Marine Officer, follower of Christ, and man. He lived his life with strength, humility, courage, and an unwavering devotion to the people he loved.
Garrett was a giant among men. Standing 6’6”, he had a presence that made him impossible to miss in any room he entered—and a heart big enough to match. His physical stature made him easy to find, but who he was as a man made him easy to follow.
He was hardworking, determined, and never one to shy away from a challenge. In fact, Garrett seemed to seek out the difficult things in life—not for recognition, but because he believed in testing himself and becoming the kind of man others could depend on.
That spirit defined his service as a United States Marine.
Garrett became an Infantry Officer and graduated from the Marine Corps’ demanding Infantry Officer Course. He went on to serve with 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, where he led Marines as a Rifle Platoon Commander and later served as a Rifle Company Executive Officer.
But even that was not enough of a challenge for Garrett.
He set his sights on Marine Forces Special Operations Command. Garrett attended Assessment and Selection and was selected on his first attempt, earning the opportunity to continue to the Individual Training Course and pursue his goal of becoming a Marine Raider.
That drive existed long before Garrett ever wore the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor.
Before the Marine Corps, Garrett was an exceptional athlete and highly recruited baseball player whose talent as a pitcher took him to Virginia Commonwealth University. He built a decorated and successful collegiate career at VCU and had the opportunity to continue playing professionally.
Instead, Garrett chose a different path.
He chose to serve his country.
For all that Garrett accomplished as an athlete and Marine Officer, however, those accomplishments were never the most important things about him.
His greatest titles were husband and father.
Garrett was the proud girl dad of two beautiful daughters, Maisie and Hazel, and the devoted husband of his incredible wife, Autumn. He loved his girls with everything he had. They were the center of his world, and so much of what Garrett worked for, sacrificed for, and dreamed about was for them.
Anyone who knew Garrett knew what kind of man he was.
He was a gentle giant.
He was the immovable rock people leaned on when life became difficult. He was the friend you could call when you needed help, the leader people trusted when circumstances were uncertain, and the man whose presence alone could make things feel like they were going to be okay.
Garrett was calm, cool, and collected. Very little seemed capable of rattling him. Whatever challenge stood in front of him, he seemed to meet it with the same quiet confidence—and that unmistakable smile.
That big Garrett Pearson smile will forever be one of the things those who loved him remember most.
On October 3, 2026, Garrett was tragically lost in a training accident while attending MARSOC’s Individual Training Course off the coast of Florida.
His loss leaves a hole that can never truly be filled.
But Garrett Pearson’s life cannot be measured by the day we lost him.
It is measured by the family he loved, the Marines he led, the teammates he stood beside, the friends he strengthened, and the countless people who are better because they had the privilege of knowing him.
It lives in Autumn.
It lives in Maisie and Hazel.
It lives in his parents and siblings.
It lives in every Marine Garrett led and every friend who knew they could depend on him.
And it lives in the example he left behind.
Garrett showed us what it meant to be strong without needing to prove your strength. To lead without needing recognition. To pursue difficult things without complaining. To love your family completely. To serve something greater than yourself. And to walk through life with faith, humility, and a smile.
Garrett was the kind of man all men should strive to be.
His time with us was far too short, but the impact of his life will endure.
His legacy will live on.
His name will continue to be spoken.
His daughters will grow up knowing exactly who their father was.
And he will never be forgotten.
Our hearts and prayers will forever be with Autumn, Maisie, Hazel, his parents, his siblings, his fellow Marines, and everyone fortunate enough to call Garrett a friend.
We love you, Captain Pearson.
Fair winds and following seas, brother.
“The journey doesn’t end here.”