McGarity honed his marching talents as a Redcoat bandsman in the 1960s.
He and the band have appeared in four movies, and played at ceremonies for Queen Elizabeth, Pope John Paul II, and Mikhail Gorbachev. As a student, he was captain of the golf team and won the state amateur golf championship in 1933-34. He didn't compete, due to a torn hamstring, but got within two seconds of the world record in the 400 meters. McGarity started his marching career with UGA's Redcoat Band in the 1960s, and will retire from the Army in April after 32 years as drum major. McGarity honed his marching talents as a Redcoat bandsman in the 1960s.