Shirley Fox Garvey

Shirley Fox Garvey FORT WORTH -- Shirley Fox Garvey, 93, a successful businesswoman, community leader and philanthropist passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018, in Fort Worth. MEMORIAL SERVICE: 2 p.m. Saturday in the Great Hall of First Presbyterian Church, 1000 Penn St., Fort Worth. Following the service the family will receive friends at a reception in the Embassy Room at River Crest Country Club. A private burial service for the family will be held on Saturday morning. Visitation: 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Greenwood. MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Historic Fort Worth or the James L. West Alzheimer's Center. Shirley was born on Aug. 31, 1924 to Forest A. and Lea (Langel) Fox in the Kansas City metropolitan area of Kansas. An only child, she grew up surrounded by her many cousins, aunts and uncles. Her parents were devoted to her and proud of all her accomplishments. She graduated as salutatorian from Westport High School in 1941. Following high school, she attended Iowa State University for two years, and then as World War II ensued, she worked at Mitchell Aircraft Company in the Kansas City area. While working there, she learned to fly. In 1947, while living in Wichita, Kan., she met James S. Garvey. They married on Nov. 30, 1947. They spent a short time in Eads, Colo., where James was manager of the family farming and ranching businesses, and then moved to Colby, Kan. There they started their family of three children, Janet Lee, Carol Jo and Richard Fox. They made friends, attended the Presbyterian Church, and were involved in many community and social activities. In 1959, family business took them to Fort Worth, where they made their home for the rest of their lives. Growing up, Shirley was a good student, determined to do the very best at everything she tried. She spent time with her father learning about and watching the many sports that he participated in. He encouraged her to take up golf, which became her passion. From her mother, she learned how to keep a tidy, organized home. As an adult, she continued the trait of striving to do her very best. She also never wasted a moment. She was active, extremely competitive, and even when she took time to sit down, she was busy doing something. A lifetime friend once remarked: "I don't know how Shirley does it. She plays golf in the morning, bridge in the afternoon, and then she throws a dinner party in the evening." Shirley was active in many organizations and served on the board of some of the following: Girl Scouts, Camp Fire Girls of America, the Women's Auxiliary of Fort Worth Children's Hospital, Jewel Charity, Woman's Club of Fort Worth, the Assembly, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, the Cliburn, Fort Worth Lecture Foundation, and Historic Fort Worth, where she was instrumental in the preservation of the historic Thistle Hill Mansion. She belonged to Pi Beta Phi and the P.E.O. Sisterhood. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Fort Worth and attended a weekly Bible study group. Her main hobbies were golf and bridge, but she also enjoyed reading, did needlepoint, was an excellent cook, and liked to travel. She was well organized and determined but also liked to have a good time. She kept a busy social schedule. Besides being actively involved in the family business, she directed the investments and donations of the Garvey Texas Foundation. The family would like to thank the staff of the James L. West Alzheimer's Center for the wonderful care they provided for our mother over the past four and a half years. We also thank Community Hospice of Texas for their caring service. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 54 years, James; and her grandson, Richard James Garvey. SURVIVORS: Children, Janet (Walter) Gerber of Colorado Springs, Colo.; Carol (Warren) Sweat of Wallace, Kan.; and Richard (Tera) Garvey of Fort Worth; seven grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.