Memorial services for Colonel Thomas P. Garvin, 85, of Oklahoma City, OK are scheduled for 11:00 A.M. Monday, August 10th at Mercer-Adams Chapel with burial in Bethany Cemetery under the direction of Mercer- Adams Funeral Service, Bethany OK. Col. Garvin died Thursday, July 30, 2009 in Oklahoma City, OK. Born in Chicago, IL, 8 December 1923, Thomas P. Garvin moved to Kearney, NB at an early age. It was in Nebraska where he grew through his formative years and developed his love for flying. In June of 1943, after graduation from Kearney High, he entered the Army Air Corps Cadet program where he earned his pilot wings and a commission as a second Lieutenant in June of 1945. He spent his next year as an instructor pilot in the T-6 at Perrin Field, TX. In Aug. of 1946 he was assigned to Japan and the 35th Fighter Group flying the P-51 Mustang. Next, a 2 year tour at Williams AFB, AZ flying F80s. In 1953 and the outbreak of conflict in Korea he reported to Kempo Air base where he flew 100 missions in the F-86; shot down one MIG-15 and a confirmed one probable. Upon return to the states he reported to Clovis (now Cannon) AFB in Jan. 1953 with assignment to the 50th Fighter Wing flying F-86s. Next an assignment to Alexandria, LA as operations officer to the 389th Squadron where he flew F-86s, F-84s, and the F-100. Assignment in the UK and Germany followed. He returned to the US in 1961, with an assignment to Myrtle Beach, SC as Chief of Safety. In 1963 he became the Tactical Air Command USAF Liaison Officer to the US Army Combat Development Command. In 1968 he reported to Viet Nam as a forward air controller (FAC) flying the 0-1 Bird Dog where he racked up 370 combat missions. In addition to Command pilot wings and U. S. Army Paratrooper Wings, Col. Garvin was awarded pilot wings by the Belgium Air Force. His military awards include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit with oak leaf, Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf, Air Metal with twenty oak leaf clusters and many other military metals and ribbons. He retired from active duty in 1975. He was a man of many talents. He is survived by his wife Elyse Garvin of Oklahoma City; her two children, Daniel Sanchez and Kristen Sanchez of Oklahoma City; his sister, Mary Lou Ely of CA; his brother Dan Garvin of Kansas City, KS; his sons, Randolph Garvin of Chandler, TX; Michael Garvin of San Antonio, TX; and his beloved daughter, Gail Vines of Oklahoma City, OK; and 7 grandchildren. The family would like to express their deepest gratitude for the loving care and kindness provided by everyone at Quail Creek Nursing & Rehabilitation Center and all those who helped Col. Garvin at the Veterans Administration Medical Center. The family also wishes to express very special heartfelt thanks to everyone at Physicians Choice Hospice who helped comfort and care for Tom with their extraordinary compassion, understanding and loving kindness.