History & Staff

We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.

Our History

Our History

Cliff and Carmen purchased the building that they now call their Funeral Home on April 15, 2013, making it Clifford D Garrett Family Funeral Home and Cremation Service .  Our Fort Gibson funeral home is located at 1224 E Poplar in beautiful Fort Gibson, one block from the Fort Gibson National Cemetery and Citizens Cemetery, both cemeteries having long and distinguished histories.  After a complete renovation of the building, we opened May 20, 2013.  In December 2021, Cliff and Carmen purchased a Muskogee Landmark, previously a funeral home, and expanded their funeral services to the people of Muskogee directly.  Clifford D Garrett Family Funeral Home and Crematory opened April 10, 2023 in beautiful downtown Muskogee.  Cliff and Carmen have the state of the art crematory in Muskogee.  Cliff's Funeral Service career began in 1995 having worked at three area funeral homes.  When the opportunity arose to open our own, we knew it was the right time to do so.  Our history of trust, integrity, and knowledge is evident in everything we do.  We look forward to creating a long and fulfilling history here with the people of Fort Gibson and Muskogee, along with the great people of Cherokee and Wagoner Counties.

Our Valued Staff

  • Clifford D Garrett

    Clifford D Garrett Funeral Director/Embalmer/Insurance Agent

    Cliff was called to the funeral service in the mid 90's. His career started at a funeral home in Muskogee, Oklahoma. He served his Funeral Director and Embalmers apprenticeship completing certification in 1997. Cliff received his mortuary degree from the prestigious Dallas Institute of Funeral Service with honors while serving as Class President graduating February 18, 1999. Cliff is a Nationally Certified Embalmer and Funeral Director having passed the National Boards Exam. After many years working in funeral service, he and his wife Carmen opened their first funeral home, in Fort Gibson. A few years later, Cliff and Carmen opened their second location in Muskogee with a crematory on site. Cliff is a licensed insurance agent and can help serve families with pre-arrangements as well. Carmen started teaching in 1991 and retired in 2022 and has become heavily involved with the daily operations of both funeral homes. Cliff and Carmen have two children that are attending Dallas Institute of Funeral Service, their daughter, Camryn and their son, Carson. Camryn enjoys caring for her dogs, and Carson enjoys computers and driving anything on four wheels. Cliff, Carmen and their children are very active in the Fort Gibson and Muskogee communities as Cliff served as President of the Fort Gibson Chamber of Commerce in 2019-2020. He is a Master Mason, member of Blue Lodge #28 and a Shriner with the Bedouin Shrine in Muskogee. Carmen is a board member of the Fort Gibson Housing Authority and volunteers on numerous committees.

  • Susan (Tickel) Amerson

    Susan (Tickel) Amerson Office Manager

    Susan (Tickel) Amerson has been with Clifford D Garrett Family Funeral Home since 2015 as Office Manager. Susan was born and raised in Muskogee where she received her formal education. Her passion for the funeral business started back in 1995, as the secretary at Muskogee’s Greenhill Cemetery for over 18 years. Susan married her best friend, Connie, and they have been married for over 34 years. He retired from the Muskogee Fire Department after 33 years of service. Together, they raised two daughters, Karrie and Angela. In their spare time, they enjoy traveling, taking cruises, fishing, and enjoying the outdoors.

  • Justin L. Kinman

    Justin L. Kinman Funeral Director/Embalmer/Chaplain

    Justin moved to Muskogee from DeKalb, Texas in 1992 and graduated from Okay High School in 2001. Justin started serving families in 2014 in Muskogee, Oklahoma in the capacity of funeral director’s assistant. Justin always wanted to help people and was called to a service to love people. He attended Howard Payne University and Connors State College, achieving an Associate of Arts in General Studies. He received his Associate of Applied Mortuary Science from the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service, graduating with Salutatorian honors, in 2020 and then became a nationally certified Embalmer and Funeral Director. He received a Bachelor of Theological Studies from Missionary Chapel and became ordained. Faith, love, and family led Justin and his wife, Tamara, to Fort Gibson, Oklahoma. He has four children that attend Fort Gibson Public Schools, Michael, Ryan, Emma and Lili.

  • Carson Garrett

    Carson Garrett Apprentice Funeral Director and Embalmer

    Carson Garrett is the son of Cliff and Carmen Garrett. He graduated from Fort Gibson Public Schools, with Honors, in 2022. Currently, Carson is attending Dallas Institute of Funeral Service, in Dallas, Texas, to become a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer, graduating in January of 2024. He is excited to become licensed and become one of the familiar faces families look for in their time of need.

  • Camryn Garrett

    Camryn Garrett Apprentice Funeral Director and Embalmer

    Camryn Garrett is the daughter of Cliff and Carmen Garrett. She graduated from Fort Gibson Public Schools in 2017. Camryn is currently pursuing a Funeral Director and Embalming degree from Dallas Institute of Funeral Service in Dallas, Texas. She is excited to be working alongside her family at the funeral home.

  • Darrell Blackman

    Darrell Blackman Funeral Assistant and Certified Crematory Operator

    Darrell was raised on a farm in Pocola, OK where he graduated from high school in 1970. Darrell married Jo Darlene Lairamore in 1972 and had 3 children Kristy, Darren and Dustin. Darrell graduated from Oklahoma State University with a degree in Agriculture Education. Darrell was a Vocational Agriculture Instructor at Eufaula Public Schools for 24 years. Darrell retired in 2008 and started a new career as a heavy equipment operator and truck driver for 4 years. He missed teaching and became the Vocational Agriculture instructor at Checotah Public School until retiring in 2017. His first wife of 44 years, Jo Darlene passed away in May 2016. Darrell married Gayle Garrett Blackman in September 2017. Gayle has 2 daughters, Kay and Leigh. She is a retired Muskogee Public School teacher. They sold their farms and livestock in 2019 to live above Lake Fort Gibson Dam. They enjoy their retirement by spending time fishing, traveling, and attending their grandchildren’s activities. Darrell and Gayle are active in their church Mountain View Baptist Church in Muskogee. Darrell felt God was telling him he wasn’t finished being of service to him and God put the Garrett Family in his path.