Garvin Crabtree

1929 - 2025

Garvin was born in Eugene, Oregon, on November 29, 1929, to Fred W. and Gertrude E. Crabtree. The family, which included older brother Wayne, and was to be joined three years later by a sister, Eloise (Pat), lived in a sawmill "camp" a few miles from Marcola, Oregon. The family remained there for a few years, without electricity, after the sawmill burned in 1936. Garvin attended Marcola Elementary school for the first few years, after which time the family moved to a rural area near Eugene. School continued at Garden Way Elementary School, a two-room, eight grade school. During his time as an eighth grader, Garvin also served as the school custodian.

High school was at Eugene High School, a five-mile bicycle ride away from home. During these years, Garvin helped with the family's animals and gardens as well as working on neighboring commercial farms, and with that exposure developed an interest in agriculture.

In 1947, Garvin enrolled at Oregon State College in a Horticulture program, receiving a B.S. degree in 1951. With the Korean conflict continuing and conscription still in place, Garvin began a two-year service in the U.S. Army. This included, after Basic Training, a special Army school for food inspectors, after which Garvin was posted with the U.S. Army of the Pacific as a food inspector.

Upon discharge from the Army in 1953, Garvin enrolled as a graduate student in the Vegetable Crops Department at Cornell University, where he completed M.S. and PhD degrees. Throughout his years as a student, Garvin had a strong focus on academic accomplishment and was recognized for this by various honors.

Garvin met Priscilla Horning, a graduate student pursuing a PhD in Home Economics in 1963. They were married at Calvin Presbyterian Church in Corvallis Oregon in 1965 and Garvin attended Sunday services there until 2021. The Crabtree family grew with the addition of Melissa in 1966 and Andrew in 1968.

The family enjoyed many travel experiences, including a year-long sabbatical leave at Michigan State University. Later, Garvin and Priscilla were in Taiwan for another sabbatical leave. After Garvin's retirement, he and Priscilla enjoyed travel in Europe as well as maintaining their rural Philomath home property until Priscilla's passing in 2011. Garvin continued to live there until 2021, when he moved in with his son and family in San Jose, California. There, he joined the Covenant Orthodox Presbyterian Church. He is survived by his daughter Melissa, son Andrew, and his family, including seven grandchildren and special friends Marsha and Jeanie in Corvallis.

Garvin died in his sleep at Melissa's home in Orlando, Florida, on Aug 21, 2025.

A service will be held on Dec 6, 2025 at 3 p.m. at Calvin Presbyterian Church, 1736 NW Dixon St, Corvallis, OR 97330.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ) for Melissa. Gifts should be made payable to Cru and sent with a note that they are a memorial gift. Indicate that they are for Melissa, account number 0424942. Gifts can be mailed to P.O. Box 628222, Orlando, FL 32862-8222 or sent electronically to https://give.cru.org/0424942.