Eric Eugene Garvin

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Eric Eugene Garvin was the second of two children born to Eric and Anna Garvin at Eglin Air Force Base in Fort Walton Beach, Florida on August 13, 1984.  He departed this life on January 14, 2023.  

He and his family were faithful members of Ebenezer AME Church in Fort Washington, MD.  

Eric (Eugene) attended school in Maryland, Ohio, and Georgia and ultimately graduated in 2002 from Westlake High School (Waldorf, MD).  He graduated from Mercer University in Macon, GA with a B.S. in Political Science (2006).  In the Fall of 2003, he pledged the Theta Pi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. After Mercer, Eric would continue his studies at the University of Maryland Law School in Baltimore, Maryland, where he graduated in 2010.  As a result of his exceptional debating skills, Eric was selected for the University of Maryland Law School “Moot Court” team.  His family was not surprised by his earning this distinction, especially his sister, Naomi, and his closest friends, who were often forced into debating with him.  To know Eric (Eugene) is to know he loved to “debate,” and if you were the unfortunate soul on the other side of the debate, it would undoubtedly be a long battle to the finish!    

Eric (Eugene) constantly moved, traveling to more than 40 countries! His parents influenced his love of travel, and he intended to explore as much of the world as possible.  Eric (Eugene) also enjoyed fishing and photography in his free time and had become an avid fisherman, often sending his mom and sister his ugliest catches via pictures and videos.  

Eric (Eugene) was very passionate about helping the underserved and fought extensively against injustice.  His passion for helping the underserved and overlooked is evidenced by his work in Baltimore and New York City.  While most people shunned the teenagers in Baltimore riding Dirt Bikes, Eric (Eugene) embraced them and often volunteered to film them. He produced a video to tell their story and humanize their experiences when many of the city’s citizens would’ve preferred they just go away. During his time in New York City, he worked on the staff of former Mayor Bill de Blasio to reduce violent crime in neighborhoods throughout New York City.  Eric (Eugene) was assigned to the Brownsville neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York, where he worked with local Gang leaders to bring about peace.  After he completed his tenure in that assignment, he would move on to become a vocal critic of the inmate conditions at Rikers Island, where he worked diligently to help prisoners transition back into society.  

One of Eric’s (Eugene) proudest moments was the creation and patent of his PURE REUP agency, which focuses on entrepreneurship and education. The agency sought out ways to encourage young people to pursue their passions, despite being impacted by racism, violence, poverty, and other forms of social decay. 

In closing, despite Eric’s premature death, he had a very fulfilling life.  He gave back to his community, he traveled the world, and he had some enduring relationships with his closest friends and family.  

Eric leaves to cherish his memory: his beloved parents, Colonel Eric D. Garvin USAF (Ret) and Anna M. Garvin of Palm Coast, FL. His sister, Naomi Garvin of Atlanta, GA. His grandparents, Marjorie Garvin of Staten Island, NY, and Ellis Garvin of Ocala, FL, his Godmother, Teresa Mitchell, and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends (who are more family than merely friends). 

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