Gary Garvens

GARVENS
Gary Howard Garvens

Gary Howard Garvens passed away peacefully at home on May 31, 2012 at the age of 77. He was the loving husband of Terry Garvens, father of Tyler (Jay) Parkinson, Derek (Jill) Garvens, Chadd (Minda) Garvens , Whitney Garvens (fiancé Eric Burak), and Tracey Garvens (fiancé Chris Lee), and grandfather of Rex and Sloane Parkinson, Kaia and Nash Garvens and Logan Garvens; as well as uncle to five nieces and a nephew. He was predeceased by his parents Howard Louis Garvens and Ruth Nashland Garvens, his brother Kent Nashland Garvens and his sister Gail Ruth Garvens. Gary was born in Milwaukee, WI, on February 6, 1935. After growing up in Elmhurst, IL he attended Purdue University, graduating with a degree in Chemical Engineering and an officer's commission in the US Navy. After serving two years of active duty in the US Navy he enrolled in Stanford University and received an MBA in 1960. Gary was CEO of Danbury Aerospace, a San Antonio-based manufacturer serving the General Aviation industry. Founded in 1943 in Milwaukee as a commercial chrome plating business, the company has expanded into new areas under three generations of family ownership and management. Gary was active in trade associations that served the aviation industry including ARSA and MARPA. At ARSA he was a director for several years and served one term as President of the national organization. As founding President of Raffles Insurance Company, Gary helped to establish an innovative insurance program that has grown from 9 members in 1985 to a company of more than 300 members today. Gary loved his work, but he was equally enthusiastic about his many hobbies. He avidly pursued cooking, wine-making (since the early 60's), photography, genealogy, and gardening-he was good at all these things, self-taught, product-oriented. He loved his workshop and was an excellent craftsman of wood and metal. For the last 5 years he has been rebuilding a 26-foot steamboat destined for a home on Lake Travis. As much as he loved his work and his hobbies, Gary's heart was with his family. During the last weeks of his life, he was grateful that each of his 5 children all of whom live outside the area, traveled to the family home in New Braunfels to spend time with him and Terry sharing stories, enjoying good food & wine and loving each other's company. A celebration of Gary's life will be held on Saturday, June 9th at 2:00pm at New Braunfels Presbyterian Church, 373 Howard Street, New Braunfels, TX 78130. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Gary's memory may be made to: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Melanoma & Skin Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030. Hope Hospice, 611 North Walnut Avenue, New Braunfels, TX 78130 Arrangements are pending with:
Doeppenschmidt Funeral Home
189 N. Seguin Ave.
New Braunfels, Tx
(830)625-3434