I'll post a tribute eventually. Here's the obit I put together on my grandfather.
William Harold Garvin of Arlington died early Monday, March 9, 2009, at Arlington Memorial Hospital.
Harold Garvin was born Dec. 28, 1914, in Dustin, Okla., the son of William David Garvin and Margaret Harris Garvin.
He graduated valedictorian of Weleetka High School and attended Georgia Tech University, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering in 1939.
Garvin was a member of the ROTC at Georgia Tech, and entered the Army with the rank of second lieutenant upon his graduation in 1938. The next year he married Theda-V Sanders. They would stay together for 70 years, until his death Monday.
He began his military service in the Signal Corps and was stationed at Camp Bowie in Brownwood on Pearl Harbor Day.
In the 2nd Army Division, 53rd Battalion, he served in North Africa, Italy and France before leaving the military with the rank of major at the end of World War II, having earned the EAME Theatre Ribbon with seven bronze service stars.
He began his civilian career by moving to Dallas and working as a petroleum engineer at Mobil Oil. Later, he opened Garvin’s Hardware and Paint Company at the old A. Harris Shopping Center in Oak Cliff. After selling the business, he sold Gold Bond Trading Stamps and was named as the company’s top U.S. salesman in 1963.
He finished his career as a purchasing agent with Dairy Queen Stores Inc., and later owned and operated three Dairy Queen franchises. He retired in 1987.
He was a longtime member of Glen Oaks United Methodist Church, later joining Duncanville UMC so he could attend services with his family. He was an avid fisherman and Boy Scout volunteer. He spent his retirement traveling with his wife and doting on his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He spent much of his spare time solving crosswords, assembling puzzles and growing vegetables in his garden. His family will remember his strong work ethic and his sense of humor.
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