Garvey, The Rev. Raymond V.

The Rev. Raymond V. Garvey, 84, passed away March 15, 2012. Services will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 20, at Highland Presbyterian Church, Tyler, Texas, with the Rev. Scott Mackey and the Rev. David Smith officiating. Arrangements are with  Stewart Family Funeral Home, Tyler.

The Rev. Garvey was born in Kansas City, Kan., and spent most of his childhood in Leavenworth, Kan. He married the former Eleanor Wallace in Leavenworth, Kan., on June 30, 1952. In their life together they traveled to all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, Israel and England. They raised four children.

The Rev. Garvey was a Mason for over 50 years. He graduated from Park College, Parkville, Mo., and McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago. The Rev. Garvey also did graduate work at San Francisco Theological Seminary in San Anselmo, Calif. Education was a lifelong quest of his. He continued to take classes from local community colleges until recently.

The Rev. Garvey was ordained as a Presbyterian minister in May 1952. He served churches in North Carolina, Kansas, Alaska, Washington and Iowa. The Rev. Garvey also served as a missionary pastor to the Tsimshean Indians in Metlakatla, Alaska. He later taught at the Iowa State Mens Reformatory in Anamosa for over 20 years.

After retirement, the Rev. Garvey and his wife, Eleanor, served as Volunteers in Mission at Sunset Gap Community Center in Crosby, Tenn. They then retired to the Tyler, Texas area in 1994. In Tyler, they were very active volunteering through the church, schools and several community venues.

The Rev. Garvey was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse and Josephine Garvey.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Eleanor Garvey; children, Mark and Cindy Garvey of Cedar Rapids, Dave and Karen Garvey of Batavia, Ill., Becky and John Davis of Tyler, and Sharon and Jay Cohen of Itasca, Ill.; 11 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.

If desired, memorials may be made to Highland Presbyterian Church, 3101 Paluxy Dr, Tyler, TX 75701; or Tyler Music Coterie, c/o Patti Long, 2919 Roanoke Lane, Tyler, TX 75701.

Published March 18, 2012 in The Gazette