Ricky Lee Garvin

May 24, 1958 - February 17, 2016

Ricky Lee Garvin, 57, passed away Wednesday, February 17, 2016, at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. He was born May 24, 1958 to Jimmy and Ruby Lucille Bennett Garvin in Baldwyn. He was an avid sports fan. He loved the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Cubs. Ricky enjoyed playing golf, reading western novels, watching western TV shows and movies. He liked to play poker and enjoyed the music of Cher, Olivia Newton John and Hootie and the Blowfish. Ricky entered into the U.S. Navy under the Buddy program with Edwin McVey in July 1978. He completed his military basic training in Orlando, Fla., then attended aviation electrician training in Millington, Tenn. While serving in Meridian, Miss., he was promoted to Petty Officer 2nd Class, and then went on to serve in Sigonella, Sicily. During Desert Storm he received Sailor of the Year on board the USS Independence and USS Midway out of Atsugi, Japan. He received Instructor of the Year at the Aviation Training Center in Millington, Tenn., where he was also promoted to Chief Petty Officer in 1995. After 24 years of active duty service, he retired in Pensacola, Fla. in 2002. Funeral services will be Friday, February 19, 2016 at Noon at the Booneville Funeral Home Chapel. Graveside services with full military honors will follow at 1:00 P.M. in the Corinth National Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 10:00 until service time. He is survived by his wife, Elana Henderson Garvin; son, Justin Garvin of Tampa, Fla.; daughter, Jessica Garvin of Orlando, Fla.; two brothers, Greg Garvin (Kelli) of Belden and Jeff Garvin of Booneville; a sister-in-law, Tammy Garvin of Booneville; aunts, Earnestine Lindley (Hollis) of Tupelo and Ann Bennett of Booneville; nieces, Misty Flurry, Tiffany Hunt, Kelly Garvin, Madison Garvin, Paige Garvin; nephew, Michael Burkes. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Jimmy Dale Garvin, sister-in-law, Carrie Eaton Garvin; nephews, Jake Garvin and, Hunter Flurry. Pallbearers will be Mike Bennett, Hal Bennett, Paul Bennett, Phillip Bennett, Rusty Garvin, Mike Garvin and Mike Lindley. Memorials may be made to Veterans of Foreign Wars: www.vfw.org; in honor of Chief Petty Officer Ricky Lee Garvin. Condolences may be made to the booonevillefuneralhome.net.