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Darell Garretson, longtime NBA referee, dies at 76

Combined wire reports

April 24, 2008

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MESA, Ariz. - Darell Garretson, who helped shape the National Basketball Association's officiating over a 31-year career, died yesterday at his home. He was 76.

Garretson's health had been in decline after recent surgery and various illnesses, the National Basketball Referees Association said in a statement.

Garretson was a referee for more than 2,000 NBA games from 1967-94 and spent 17 years as the league's chief of officiating staff, formulating practices and methods that are widely used today. After retiring as an active referee, he continued his role as an officiating supervisor until 1998.

"NBA refereeing is inextricable from Darell Garretson," NBRA spokesman Lamell McMorris said in a statement. "His exhaustive, devoted work has greatly influenced the craft to this day - and it will for a very long time."