LaVerne Hugh (Pete) Garvey, 83, of Eldorado died Thursday, December 22, 2005 at Tift Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 24, 2005 in the Memorial Chapel of Tifton's First Baptist Church. Rev. Paul Thomas will officiate with burial to follow in Oakridge Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Bowen-Donaldson. Pallbearers will be Jonathan Garvey, Chad Haynes, Jesse Farmer, Johnny Whiddon, Mike Owens and William McDonald. Honorary pallbearers will be Mr. and Mrs. George Medford, Mr. and Mrs. H.C. Medford, Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Burnett and Mr. and Mrs. John Grosh.
Born February 13, 1922 in Ogden Iowa, Mr. Garvey was the sone of the late Hugh E. Garvey and Anne Reid Garvey. He was a retired systems analyst. He retired to Tifton 20 years ago and lived in Jacksonville, FL 40 years prior to that time.
Mr. Garvey was a decorated WWII veteran who enjoyed family and golf. "Big" Pete loved growing and selling peaches for a number of years at the Pick-Your-Own Peach Orchard in Eldorado. He enjoyed meeting and talking with the many people who visited the orchard.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Mary Jo Medford Garvey; one son and daughter-in-law, Peter Medford Garvey and Katherine Grosh Garvey. In addition, Mr. Garvey is survived by three grandchildren: Jennifer G. Haynes and husband Chad Haynes, and Jonathan P. Garvey, all of Tifton; and Allison Garvey of Valdosta; and one great grandchild, Claire M. Haynes. Mr. Garvey is survived by a favorite nephew, Pat George and his wife Judy. He is also survived by his wife's nieces and nephews: Beth Medford Rhymes, Jan M. Johnson, Liz Whiddon, Mike Burnett, Lynn McDonald and Mary Sue Tucker. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Winnifred (Winnie) Kelly and Myra Maxine (Tootie) George, and a cousin reared as his brother, Ray H. Reid.