Visitation: November 18, 2016
Description:
George Robert Garvin Jr, 80, of Franklin, Tennessee went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on November 14, 2016. George was born on April 30, 1936 in Maywood, Illinois to George Sr. and Ruth (Anderson) Garvin. He was the beloved brother of the late Naomi (Garvin) Smith and Bette (Garvin) Burke of Vicksburg, Michigan. George attended Proviso East High School in Maywood, Illinois and Olivet Nazarene College in Bourbonnais, Illinois where he later served as a distinguished member of their Board of Trustees for more than 25 years. While at Olivet he fell in love and married his beloved Martha (Reed) Garvin of Hannibal, MO and settled in River Forest, Illinois. After graduating from college in 1958 George became the 3rd President of Sam Garvin & Company, his family’s electrical manufacturing business that was started by his Grandfather Sam in 1892, after working at the World’s Columbian Exposition with Thomas Edison. In the early 1900’s Sam Garvin & Company was instrumental in designing and manufacturing a line of lighting and electrical products that became an industry standard and continues today. For more than 45 years George guided the family business and laid a foundation for international expansion. As a lifelong member of the Church of the Nazarene, George used his talents to serve as a board member for the Nazarene Church International, Olivet Nazarene University, Chicago Central District, World Vision International, National Association of Evangelicals, and a variety of other charitable organizations. Although his leadership had an international impact, his favorite role was that of husband and father serving his local church family and missionaries that required assistance in fulfilling their call to serve God. George is survived by his wife Martha Garvin nee Reed of Franklin, TN, children Lorri (Joel) Smith of Brentwood, TN, Bradley Garvin of NYC, Brian (Maria) Garvin of Glendora, CA, Barton (Lisa) Garvin of Western Springs, IL, and Lisa (James) Spruill of Franklin, TN. He was the beloved Grandfather of Margaret, Wesley, Claire, Katie, Sarah, Caroline, Tucker, Samuel, Mary Elizabeth, Tom, & Benjamin. Nashville visitation will be held at Nashville First Church of the Nazarene 510 Woodland St. Nashville, TN 37206 on Thursday November 17, 2016 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. Service to follow at 11:00 am. Chicago visitation will be held at Gibbons Funeral Home 134 South York Rd. Elmhurst, Illinois 60126 on Friday November 18, 2016 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. For info 773-777-3944 or www.gffh.com
