John Lee Garvey

John Lee Garvey, 78, of Noel, Missouri, passed away peacefully, Tuesday, February 27, 2018. John, son of the late Val and Frances (Filla) Garvey was born June 9, 1939 in Washington, Missouri. He graduated from Union High School in 1957. He started a life of service and success after High School. John briefly served our country in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1957-1958 followed by two terms as the Mayor of Union, Missouri from 1969-1973. As Union's youngest mayor, he restructured the police force. John's foresight established the groundwork for Union's Industrial Park and Independence Drive. He was also a Fourth-Degree member of the Union Knights of Columbus. John was also a successful businessman. He started in the restaurant business in the early 60s when he opened Johnny's Dairy Creme in Eureka, Missouri. John later acquired Kay Lou's and moved Johnny's to Union, Missouri and also opened the Totem Pole. In the mid-1970s John relocated to Rogers, Arkansas where he established a successful commercial and residential plumbing business. Later he moved the business to Noel, MO where he also pursued many other entrepreneurial ventures. John is survived by his wife of 44 years, Laurie Kay (Lester) Garvey of Noel, Missouri, three sons, Mitch West & wife Wendy (Union, Mo.), Michael Garvey (Union, Mo.) and John Garvey & wife Angela (Collierville, Tenn.), four daughters, Charla Earnest (Hannibal Mo.), Lexa Lang & husband John (Rogers, Ark.), Andrea Aldrich & husband Jim (Rogers, Ark.) and Lisa King & husband Dennis (Union Mo.), 16 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren, three sisters, Barbara Miller & husband Nate (Noel, Mo.), Mary Dixon & husband Lyman (Union, Mo.) and Janus Von Reiche of (San Antonio, Texas), two sisters-in-law Sue Critz & husband Ward (Harker Heights, Texas) and Jody Lester (Noel, Mo.) plus many other relatives and friends. There will be a celebration of life scheduled on a later date.