Obituary
Michael Robert Garvin, affectionately known to some as Gordy, was born in Portage, Wisconsin on September 12, 1955. He attended school in Rio where he graduated in 1973. He loved all sports, especially baseball, and his Dad organized the first baseball league when Mike was in grade school. They won many championships and were the team to beat back in the day. Mike talks fondly of his gang affiliation with the Camper City Coyotes that cruised the streets of R10 on their mini bikes. They had overnight camp outs and many stories to tell from their adventures. Mike loved motorcycles, snowmobiles and fast cars and he never lost his love for them. He enjoyed all types of music and attended many concerts over the years. Mike graduated from the Police Science Program at MATC in 1977. He married June Mc Donald in 1980 and their son Cody was born in 1989 and Jordan was born in 1993. Mike got his first job at Fordem Company, which was a small medical packaging firm. The company went through many acquisitions through the years and Mike ended his 43 year career with Amcor Flexibles. Mike worked as a press operator for 17 years and was promoted to Field Service Engineering Manager for 26 years. Mike traveled around the world and back often, which was a sacrifice to his family but it afforded them many wonderful vacations where a lifetime of memories were made. They took many trips to Disney theme parks, out west on golf and ski trips, hunting trips, boating trips, as well as trips abroad. The family loved boating and water skiing in the Madison lakes and Swan Lake, bike riding and enjoying their family cabin, one of their very favorite places to spend time where they could get back to nature and recharge. The hours spent celebrating holidays and birthdays with family and friends, hunting and exploring nature, riding runners, fires at the pit and fishing in the ponds were priceless. Truly a gift they will all remember and appreciate forever. In 2019 Mike was diagnosed with tinnitus, which unfortunately changed his path forever. He retired in April and spent the following winter in Palm Springs, California after June retired in 2020. It was one of his favorite places to spend time and where he got his only “hole in one”. In 2022 Mike finally took in the sights and sounds of The Villages in Florida, another place he dreamed of wintering. Unfortunately his first winter there was his last as he passed away on Friday, January 14, 2022, ending his dream far too early.
Mike is survived by his wife, June (Mc Donald) Garvin, son Cody Jaymes (Jenna) Garvin, son Jordan Robert Garvin, grandson Mackenzie Jaymes Garvin, his faithful hunting partner and constant companion, Lexi (boykin spaniel), his In-laws Allan and Laurie Mc Donald, brother-in-law, Michael Mc Donald (Donna) of Florida, nephews Jamie Mc Donald and Ryan (Lindsey/Andie) Mc Donald both of Georgia. He was proceeded in death by his father, Robert Garvin in 2008 and his mother Doris Garvin in 2009.
Mike was very loving and generous to his family, whom he loved dearly, as well as his friends and co-workers. Mike had an insatiable zest for life and there were never enough hours in the day to do all the things he enjoyed. We will cherish our fond memories with him but he will leave an empty place in our hearts forever.
Mike, I will love you “Always and Forever”. I chose you to be by my side in this life, save a place for me in our next. We are comforted knowing you are free from the unrelenting sounds of tinnitus and that you will revel in silence forevermore. Godspeed til we meet again my best friend. Go in Peace – “It was good knowin’ you”.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
A celebration of life will be planned for the fall of 2022. In lieu of flowers or gifts, please send donations to The American Tinnitus Association in Mike’s name at: https://donations.ata.org/donate?utm_source=ata-website-donate
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