James Francis “Jim” Garvey

James Francis “Jim” Garvey, 86, of Casa Grande, AZ died on Feb. 8, 2024 at home with his family. 

Mr. Garvey was born on Feb. 14, 1937 in Anaconda, MT, the oldest of two children of Thomas Francis and Margaret C. (Murphy) Garvey. He spent his early years in Anaconda, attending St. Paul’s grade school then graduating from Anaconda Central High School in 1955. He then attended Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA, where he graduated with a degree in chemical engineering. Upon graduating from his beloved Gonzaga, he worked for Anaconda Consolidated Copper Company in Great Falls, MT. 

While in Great Falls he met and then married Marguerite Kay “Gete” Stout in July 1971. They lived on Smelter Hill in company housing, which brought at extended family. When the operation closed he moved his family to Foster City, CA, where he worked for Fluor Corporation Consulting. They later moved to Globe, AZ where he was a department superintendent for Inspiration Copper and ultimately landed in Casa Grande, AZ, working for Phelps Dodge, later Freeport-McMoran. He retired in 2002 after being diagnosed with valley fever meningitis. 

He was very social, devoting his time and conversations to sports, especially Gonzaga basketball, and any and all things Montana and mining related. He attended the West Coast Conference basketball tournaments to cheer on the Zags with his cronies when he was able. He would arrange luncheons for Montana friends and loved talking on the phone and visiting with anyone willing to reminisce. Those were his main hobbies: Gonzaga, Montana, sports, mining and family. 

He was preceded in death by his sister Sheila Ann (Garvey) Drynan. Besides his wife Marguerite, he is survived by his son John Garvey, daughter Joanie Garvey-Patton (and Dallas) and his two grandchildren – Kayla and Levi. 

A funeral mass will be held @ 10:30 am on Thursday, June 27 in the Anaconda Catholic Community Church – 217 W. Pennsylvania St. – in Anaconda, followed by a graveside service @ 11:30 am at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. A luncheon for Jim’s friends and relatives will be served @ 12:30 pm in the Hunthausen Center. 

Donations may be made to the charity of your choice.