Peter (Pete) Medford Garvey, 70, died September 25, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on January 15, 1953, as the only child of Laverne Hugh Garvey and Mary Jo Medford Garvey in Jacksonville, Florida. After graduating from Robert E. Lee High School in 1971, he moved to Tifton to attend ABAC. After receiving his associate degree, he attended the University of Georgia where he earned a BS in Agricultural Engineering in 1975. In 1973, while attending UGA, Pete married the love of his life, Katherine Grosh of Jacksonville, Florida. He completed his college career in 1977 with a Masters in Agriculture Engineering.
After beginning his first job with the University of Georgia Extension Service in Attapulgus, Pete and Kathy welcomed their firstborn, Jennifer. A couple of years later, they moved to the family farm in Eldorado. They welcomed their second daughter, Allison and their only son, Jonathan within the next few years.
Pete began his own private Consulting and Irrigation business while living at the farm. He designed irrigation systems all over South Georgia. Pete held a patent for his invention of the Pivot Agrichemical Spray System “PASS”. Wanting to put down roots and pursue new ideas, they built their new home and moved to the city of Tifton where they raised their family and founded their property development/ management business. Through all his business-related endeavors, Pete met many people that became lifelong friends.
Pete had many professional and personal accomplishments. He was a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Gamma Sigma Delta, Georgia Society of Professional Engineers, Blue Key National Honor Fraternity, University of Georgia Senior Superlative and proudly served as a Deacon at Tifton’s First Baptist Church.
Pete was preceded in death by both parents, Big Pete and Mary Jo Garvey. Pete is survived by his wife, Kathy and his three children, Jennifer Haynes (Chad), Allison Faircloth (Will) and Jonathan Garvey (Mallory); his brother and sister-in-law, Jesse and Tori Farmer and their children, Tricia Redenius and Greg Farmer; and his great niece, Isabelle Redenius. Pete is survived by his pride and joy, his five grandchildren, Claire Haynes, Maggie Haynes, Sam Faircloth, Sadie Garvey and Reed Garvey. Pete and Kathy would have celebrated their 50th Wedding anniversary on December 11, 2023.
His visitation will be held in the Chapel of Bowen Donaldson Home for Funerals on Thursday, September 28, 2023, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. His funeral service will be held at the First Baptist Church Tifton Chapel on Friday, September 29, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Dr. Wayne Roe and the Rev. Mark Myers officiating. Spud Bowen and the Rev. Bill Hughes will offer eulogies. A brief interment will be held following the service at Oak Ridge Cemetery with the Rev. Bill Hughes officiating.
Active Pallbearers will be Rusty Autry, Carson Bowen, Conner Bowen, Spud Bowen, Edd Dorminey, Scott Herzog, Chuck Hill and Dr. Luke Webster.
Honorary pallbearers will be the members of the Blaylock Sunday School Class and members of the Kurios Christos Sunday School Class of Tifton’s First Baptist Church.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial gifts may be made to Families for Christ, Inc., P. O. Drawer 7766, Tifton, GA 31793.