John Oliver Garvin, Jr.

John Oliver Garvin, Jr., 91, of Albany, GA, passed away Monday, February 16, 2026 at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital.

John was born on December 19,1934 in Vallejo, CA to John O. and Elizabeth Garvin, Sr. He grew up in Vallejo and began his career with the Department of the Navy, Mare Island Shipyard in Vallejo, California on July 16, 1952 as an Apprentice Shipfitter. He resigned from Mare Island Shipyard on May 10, 1957 and worked at Standard Oil Refinery in Richmond, CA as the youngest apprentice at the time. On October 30, 1961, he returned to Mare Island Shipyard. He worked as a Shipfitter, Inspector and Associate Supervisory Inspector. He resigned from Mare Island Shipyard on March 03, 1969 and went on to Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, MS as a Quality Control Supervisor. June 28,1981 he returned to Federal Service at the Military Sealift Command in Bayonne, New Jersey as a Marine Surveyor. On September 29, 1985, John transferred to the Marine Corp Logistic Base, Albany, GA as a Supervisory Quality Assurance Specialist until his retirement September 29, 1994.

After retirement, John opened up Garvin's Gunstock Shop and made his 40-year hobby as a Master Gun Smith and Restorer his profession in Albany, GA. He would often ask “Would you want a brand-new stock or the one your father or grandfather passed down to you?” “It's about taking something old and valuable and making it new again.” John was an avid deer hunter with recognition in Boone and Crockett Club, Records of 24th North American Big Game Awards, 1998-2000, certifying his mule deer non-typical scoring 220-6/8.

He was a Master Mason and member of Naval No 87 Lodge, Masons of California, Grand Lodge of California and a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason and member of The Valley of Southwest Georgia.

He was preceded in death by his daughters, Teresa Anne Garvin (at birth) and Carol Lynn (Dennis) Zachary in 2023.

Survivors include his wife of 72 years, Patricia Anne Garvin of Albany, GA, his daughters, Kathie (Daniel) Puckett of Picayune, MS and Chris (Brandon McLaughlin) Summers of Toney, AL, five grandchildren, Korey Walls of San Antonio, TX, Jeremy (Erika) Walls of Los Angeles, CA, Shannon (Jessica) Summers Lambeth of Cleveland, OH, Amber Summers Davis of Toney, AL and Daniel L. Puckett, Jr. of Picayune, MS and eight great-grandchildren.

Those desiring may make memorials in memory of John to St. Teresa Catholic Church, Albany, GA.