After having fought a courageous battle with cancer, Joseph Matthew Garlitz, 53, of Kingwood, passed away peacefully at Preston Memorial Hospital, surrounded by family on Monday, April 29, 2024.
Joe was born Oct. 24, 1970, in Kingwood to the late Max Garlitz and Sandy (Sterling) Garlitz.
He was a 1989 graduate of Central Preston High.
Joe held a sixth-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. In 1983, he started taking Tae Kwon Do lessons in Kingwood. Those lessons turned into one of many of his passions. In 1993, Joe took over the Kingwood Tae Kwon Do school. During his time as instructor, he led many teams to Nationals. For the last 31 years, Joe has worked diligently to help mold, mentor and inspire many lives in and around the Kingwood area.
In 2008, Joe established Garlitz Contracting. He was a certified electrician, plumber and a licensed contractor. He was known for his strong work ethic, his incredible attention to detail and his determination to solve difficult problems.
When Joe wasn’t working, he loved spending time with his family. He loved listening to music, going to concerts and playing his guitars. He also loved to spend time in nature and was an avid hunter.
Joe is survived by his wife and best friend of 37 years, Shannon (Graham) Garlitz; one daughter, Amanda Rinkes and husband, Chuck, of Kingwood; one son, Dakota Garlitz and wife, Lindsey, of Kingwood; two grandchildren, Madelyne Garlitz and Benjamin Rinkes; one brother, Dr. John Garlitz and wife, Toby, of Lewisburg; three sisters, Tammy Nutter, of Clarksburg, Tonya Bray and husband, Glenn, of Edmond, Okla., and Timalisa Jackson and husband, Brett, of Ft. Myers, Fla.; sister-in-law, Tanya White, of Albright; three brothers in-law, Rick Shrout and wife, Susan, of Ind., Mike Graham, of Kingwood, and Eric Graham and wife, Beverly, of Kingwood; mother in-law, Jeniffer Graham and husband, Roy Watkins, of Kingwood; and many nieces and nephews that he loved dearly.
Joe was also preceded in death by a brother, Gene White.
Family and friends may call at the Kingwood Funeral Home at 295 S. Price Street in Kingwood from 3-7 p.m. on Friday, May 3, and again from 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 4, until the funeral hour at 1 p.m. with pastors Michael Yates and Tim Warnick officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
