A longtime Santa Maria Valley educator who later served as an elected board member was remembered as a man forever focused on doing what was best for students.
Jack Garvin, 90, died Sunday at his home, according to Santa Maria Joint Union High School District officials.
Garvin led the Orcutt Union School District for 19 years, starting in 1979 and retiring in the late 1990s.
He didn’t stay away from education for too long, teaching at Chapman University and eventually getting elected in 2004 to the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District board.
He spent five terms, for a total of 20 years, on the high school district board before retiring in December after choosing not to seek another term.
A moment of silence for Garvin occurred during the high school district board’s meeting Tuesday night as Superintendent Antonio Garcia reflected on the impact of the longtime educator who held a doctorate degree from Brigham Young University.
“Dr. Garvin served our community wisely and with a hugely caring heart,” Garcia said. “He was a steadfast leader who championed the needs of all students. He leaves an indelible mark on the education community in the Santa Maria Valley.”
A special bench with a plaque had been ordered to recognize Garvin’s long service to the education community, Garcia said, adding it would be placed at the Delta High School campus in Orcutt.
The district plans to dedicate the bench this fall once students return to campus, he added.
Upon Garvin’s retirement from the board last year, Santa Barbara County Superintendent of Schools Susan Salcido noted his passion for service.
“Jack Garvin has been a steadfast advocate and a powerful voice for students, consistently addressing issues that truly make a difference in their lives,” Salcido said last year.
Garvin served as a mentor for many local educators for decades.
“Jack was an impactful superintendent,” said Joe Dana, Orcutt’s assistant superintendent of educational services. “Under his leadership our school district was innovative in many ways: starting a childcare program, moving toward full inclusion for students with disabilities, capitalizing on computers to improve teaching and learning, and much more. Jack also mentored and encouraged many of us. He will be missed.”
Garvin loved classic cars, and showing them off locally. He often participated as an owner and driver in the Cruzin’ for Life car cruise in Santa Maria, a fundraiser for the Marian Cancer Care Services and the American Cancer Society, plus other area car shows.
His participation in community activities ranged from former Santa Maria Noontime Kiwanis Club president and being co-founder of Santa Maria Soccer along with former city councilman Bob Orach, and Ralph Sherwood.
Garvin also served as chairman of the citizens committee that generated the Orcutt Community Plan and vice president of the Righetti High School Booster’s Club.
Additionally, he served as a board member for the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Through the years he has garnered multiple awards. He was recognized in 2012 for his educational work and received the inaugural Retired Administrator the Year Award.
The Association of California School Administrators honored Garvin for his dedication to education. He also received the prestigious Ferd Kiesel Award for exemplary service as a superintendent.
Garvin grew up in Washington, and migrated south after college at Central Washington University in search of sunny weather and a teaching job.
After stops in the San Francisco Bay Area to teach and later the Fresno area to become a principal, Garvin landed on the Central Coast.
Plans for a celebration of life were pending, according to high school district representatives.