Ernest Paul Garth

Ernest Paul Garth, known as E.P., passed away unexpectedly Friday, January 20, 2023, at Hillcrest Hospital, surrounded and held by his loving family. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, teacher, and friend, E.P. was a man of many talents and a steel-trap memory.

E.P. was born and raised in Ennis, Texas, and grew up loving the Lone Ranger, throwing a paper-route, and discovering his lifelong passion for sports. His adopted parents, Leo and Louise Garth, brought him into their family and loved him as their own along with his adopted sisters, Peggy and Barbara.

In early 1983, E.P. met Sue Quick at a local bar in Waco after hearing her laugh across the room. He asked her to dance, and they were married nine months later on November 26, 1983. He and Sue were married almost 40 years before he passed away, and they were loving, steadfast parents to their two daughters, Amanda Garth Niemeyer and Kimberly Garth Batson.

After a twenty-year career in radio and sports broadcasting, E.P. went back to college as a 40-year-old freshman and graduated with a degree in Education from Baylor University in 1996. He began a second career as an educator, teaching in Waco ISD and Midway ISD and continuing his passion for sports broadcasting by calling games for dozens of schools and colleges across Texas and Louisiana. From 1996-2005, E.P. was the voice of the Midway Panthers and loved supporting the coaching staff, players, and the Midway community in general.

Before going back to school, E.P. also worked in the restaurant industry as a manager trainee at Piccadilly and owned a restaurant in Leesville, Louisiana, for a season. Because of his experiences, he was a master cook and provided countless meals for his friends, family, coaches, and co-workers throughout the years.

Most recently, E.P. returned to his post as a history teacher in Midway Middle School after working in the Atlas Academy at Tennyson Middle School for several years. His love and vast knowledge of history has impacted hundreds of students throughout his 20-year career. For many years, he enjoyed helping students enter and excel at the National History Fair, taking several groups to Washington, D.C., to present at the national level.

A deeply creative spirit, E.P. was a man of many interests and hobbies. He proudly authored four books, was a pioneer of online sports broadcasting, and loved to cook—especially old Piccadilly recipes. He was a thoughtful and romantic husband—often bringing flowers, gifts, and notes home for Sue for no reason—and a lovable curmudgeon who cared deeply for his people.

E.P. also loved to travel with his wife, friends, and family, especially the trips to Italy, Ireland, England, New York, Boston, and Washington, D.C., in recent years. He loved to explore “small town” Texas as well and was a sponge for any and all history, no matter the place.

E.P. is survived by his wife, Sue Quick Garth; his daughters and sons-in-law, Amanda and Randy Niemeyer and Kimberly and Blake Batson; grandchildren, Brady, Bailey, Nora, Wynne, and Elim; niece, Lynn Alvarez and husband, Robert; and numerous members from the Garth and Quick families.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 4, at First Methodist Waco, 4901 Cobbs Dr., Waco, TX 76710. Visitation for E.P. Garth will be held on Friday, February 3 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the foyer of First Methodist Waco.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like for any donations to be made to County Line Young Life for the Abbot/West areas at 316 John Nors Rd, West, TX 76691. Visit the following URL to donate.

https://giving.younglife.org/s/?GiftType=Area&Name=TX538&AppealCodeId=70141000000tvBDAAY&MissionUnitId=a2s4M000002YWAIQA4&MissionUnitName=Abbott%2FWest&ClassCodeId=a2j41000000Nj93AAC&ClassCodeName=Operating

The family invites you to leave a message or memory on our “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.