James R. Garvin 1938-2026

He was born May 16, 1938, in Niles, the son of Mirl Edward and Lucille Hullett Garvin Sr.

Ron and his wife attended First Church of the Nazarene in Niles. Ron retired in 2003 after 35 years of service from the maintenance department and HazMat team at General Motors in Lordstown. He honorably served in the United States Army from 1956 to 1959.

Ron was a loving, dedicated husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. After retirement, he spent his time making regular visits to his friends and family, especially the sick and aging. He was dedicated to his visiting schedule until he was physically unable to do so.

He loved the city of Niles and its people and was a lifelong devoted Niles Red Dragons fan, not missing a season opener for 50 years straight. He was also a devout Cleveland Browns and Indians fan.

Ron is survived by three daughters, Rhonda Martin of St. Louis, Missouri; Phyllis “Corky” Lloyd of Candler, North Carolina; and Ramona Marsh and Denny Thomas of Warren; five grandchildren, James “Ronnie” Garvin II, Sarah Poole, Tyler Lloyd, Haylie Marsh and Libby Marsh; and seven great-grandchildren, Jax and Kit Garvin of St. Louis, Missouri, Emmalee, Evelyn and RJ Poole of New Mexico and Marybelle and Josias Lloyd, also of New Mexico.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis C. Brown Garvin, whom he married Nov. 5, 1960, and who died on March 4, 2018; and his siblings, Johnny-Marie Garvin Richards, Mirl E. Garvin Jr., Phyllis Garvin Thornsberry and Crawford Wayne Garvin.

To honor his wishes, a memorial gathering will be 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, April 6, 2026, at the Holeton-Yuhasz Funeral Home in Niles.

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