Former NFL scout Jim Garrett, the father of Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett, passed away on Friday night at the age of 87, according to Pro Football Talk.
Garrett was surrounded by his wife Jane and their eight children at the time of his death, according to a statement released by the Cowboys.
The former scout began his NFL career with Dallas in 1968 and spent 36 of the next 38 years working in the league in some capacity, which included serving as the Cowboys' northeast area scout the final 17 years of his career.
Garrett also worked as an assistant coach with the New York Giants (1969-73), New Orleans Saints (1976-77) and Cleveland Browns (1978-84) prior to rejoining Dallas the following season.
The veteran assistant was part of four Cowboys' Super Bowl-winning teams in the '80s and '90s and is credited for writing the original scouting report of Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman.
Garrett is survived by his wife and eight children, among them three who have worked in the Cowboys' organization. His son Judd is the team's director of pro scouting and his son John formerly worked alongside brother Jason from 2007-10 when the latter was both an offensive coordinator (2007-10) and head coach (2010-present).
