WILLIAMSPORT — Former Republican Representative Garth Everett, who served in the House of Representatives from 2007 to 2020, died in Williamsport on his 69th birthday on Saturday.
The Lycoming County resident represented the 84th Circuit, which consisted of all of the county (excluding Greater Williamsport) and part of Union County. He opted not to seek re-election in 2020.
He succeeded his high school classmate, Rep. Brett Feese, who, rather than running for re-election, accepted a job as Chief Counsel of the Republican Rep.
In addition to serving in the Legislature, Everett served on the Chesapeake Bay Commission from 2011-2020 and served on the boards of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania College of Technology.
Garth Everett, chairman of the Pa. House Government Committee, discusses his sweeping change to the state’s election laws in response to problems encountered in the June primary, particularly with the initial use of mail-in ballots. Screenshot from the pa. House website
“He was a great board member,” said Davie Jane Gilmour, who retired as president of Penn College last year. “I’ve always counted on him being prepared.”
She kept him for just a phone call away because she said he told her whatever she needed let him know.
“He was a very good man. He taught me a lot,” said Jeff Wheeland, a former member of the Republican House of Representatives, whose 83rd district was the rest of Lycoming County.
“Garth Everett was a great legislator and a good friend,” said Republican House Speaker Bryan Cutler of Lancaster. “During his time at Pennsylvania House, it was clear that Garth’s primary commitment was to his family and to the people of Lycoming County with the passion he brought to his work. I know I speak for the members of the House who served with him when I say his loss will be felt and he will be missed.”
Everett was born and raised in Montoursville. In 1972 he graduated from Montoursville Area High School.
He received an Air Force ROTC scholarship to attend college and graduated from Penn State in 1976 with a degree in business administration.
He served on active duty in the Air Force for 20½ years, achieving the rank of lieutenant colonel before retiring in 1997.
He earned a law degree from Penn State Dickinson School of Law, after which he joined a law firm in Williamsport specializing in municipal and civil law.
Everett has practiced law for a variety of townships, counties, school districts and local governments.
His survivors include his wife Susan and two adult daughters.
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