James E. Garvey, age 79, of Eau Claire, died at home Thursday, February 12, 2009 under the care of his family, personal nurse and family friend Jan, and St. Joseph's Hospice. James was born in Minneapolis, MN on November 15, 1929. Jim married Louise G. Wolf on August 13, 1955. He was preceded in death by his parents James and Martha Garvey, sister Patricia Garvey O' Brien, and nephew James Edward O'Brien. \r\nJim was active in local projects and was a long time supporter of his parish, St. Patrick's, and of Catholic education. Jim established the Regis Foundation in 1975 and supported Regis High School academics and sports teams with enthusiasm. \r\nJim and Louise are the parents of 7 children, all graduates of St. Patrick's Grade School and Regis High School. Jim is a graduate of St. Patrick's Grade School and High School, Loras College (B.A. Magna Cum Laude 1951) Delta Epsilon Sigma, the University of Minnesota Law School (LL.B.,1954). Delta Theta Phi and member of the Minnesota Law Review Editorial Board 1952 - 1954. Jim has been named to the Loras College and Regis - St . Patrick's High School Athletic Halls of Fame.\r\nJim was admitted to the Wisconsin State Bar Association and the Seventh Circuit, U.S. Court of Appeals in 1954. Jim commenced his law practice with Frank L. Morrow in 1954 until Frank Morrow's death in 1969. The firm of Morrow and Garvey grew from two lawyers to Garvey, O' Brien, Anderson and Kelly, later Garvey Anderson, Kelly and Ryberg , S.C., to the recent Garvey, Anderson, Johnson, Gabler,&Geraci. S.C. The 14-lawyer firm emphasized trial practice in the 17 counties (and Federal Courts) in Western Wisconsin.\r\nJim was a Senior member of the Eau Claire law firm of Garvey, Anderson, Johnson, Gabler and Geraci. S.C. Jim's main law practice areas included Civil Trials, Product Liability Law and Professional Malpractice. Jim practiced law for 46 years, where he was recognized as an outstanding trial lawyer in civil litigation by his admittance as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. Jim was named "Member of the Year" by the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys, and has long been listed in the profession's publication "Best Lawyers in America." Jim authored the first (1988), second (1994) and third ( 2000) editions as well as co-authored the 4th (2005) edition of the "Nominal Damages" Chapter 3 of the State Bar of Wisconsin ATS - CLE Division publication. \r\nJim has served multiple terms as Director and as President of the Regis Foundation. Jim developed the "Not Self But Country" Non - Sibi award in 1985, was the recipient of the Regis Foundation "Non - Sibi" Award in 1988.\r\nJim served on or chaired numerous State Bar committee's and boards and was involved in several local, State and National Bar Associations as well as numerous local civic, cultural, political, and religious organizations including St. Patrick Catholic Church in Eau Claire. \r\nHe was also a member of the Federal Judicial Nomination Commission, Governor's Advisory Council on Judicial Selection ( Eau Claire County), Civil Trial Counsel of Wisconsin, Wisconsin State Bar Association, State Bar Post - Graduate Education Committee, State Bar Bridge - the - Gap Committee,Wisconsin Bicentennial Committee on the Constitution, American Bar Association, Association of Defense Trial Attorneys, Defense Research Institute, Eau Claire Bar Association, Knights of Columbus John F. Kennedy Council #1257, and Regis P.T.A.\r\nJim served as President of the Eau Claire County Bar Association, President/Director of the Regis High School Foundation, President/Director of the Eau Claire Rotary Club, President/Director of the Eau Claire Regional Arts Council and Endowment Trust, President/Director for Christian Family Movement (La Crosse Diocese), President/Director University of Minnesota Alumni (Western Wisconsin), and as the Treasurer for the State Bar of Wisconsin (1969-1970).\r\nHe also served as Chairman for the Eau Claire County Civil Service Commission, 1967 - 1981, also as Chairman for the Board of Attorney's Professional Competence Committee, Chairman of the Panel -District Resolution of Fee Deputies, Chairman for the District WILMIC Campaign, and as Chairman of National Membership for the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys.\r\nJim served as an instructor/speaker in trial law at the University of Minnesota and State Bar Seminars. He served on the Executive Council Association of Defense Trial Attorneys (2 terms), American Judicature Society, Calvary Cemetery Association Foundation, Wisconsin Land Trust Association, and as Legal Council Rocky Boy Mission - Rocky Boy, Montana.\r\nHe was licensed to practice before: St Croix Chippewa Indians of the Wisconsin Tribal Council. He practiced in areas such as civil trials, product liability law, professional malpractice defense. Also, he was a Fellow for the American College of Trial Lawyers (State Chairman, 1984 - 1985). Jim was a play-maker guard on St Patrick High School's 1st State Catholic Championship basketball team that was coached by Marty Crowe and went 24 - 3 in 1947. He was the 4th highest scorer on the team. Jim's fondest memories of this time were the convincing victories over larger schools as well as the state's best on their way to 3 come-from-behind wins and the State Championship in true Hoosier's Movie fashion. As noted in the Eau Claire Daily Telegram: "Garvey hitting his side shots with uncanny accuracy, sparked the rally which put St Pat's ahead after 2 ½ quarters of the nip and tuck battle" \r\nAnd the Green Bay Press Gazette wrote: "St Pat's began to move ??.An indication of what was coming came on 4 baskets on 4 shots by guard Jim Garvey who totaled 15 points" (March 15, 1947). Jim, whose defense produced the key turnover with seconds to play to win the Championship game and pass which enabled Bill Richter's buzzer - beater shot to tie the game, won by St. Pat's in overtime, was named to the tournament's All State team.\r\nJim also played the #1 singles and doubles positions for St. Patrick High School's charter tennis team program, started by Father John Paul in 1946. Jim was several times Eau Claire City tennis champion in Junior Boys and in Men's singles and doubles. \r\nJim went on to play 4 years of varsity basketball at Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa on strong teams still frequently referred to as the "Golden Age" of Loras basketball, teams which repeated as champions in two conferences and played in the National Catholic Tournaments in Colorado and New York. These teams landed Jim in the Loras College Hall of Fame. \r\nJim played 4 years of varsity tennis at Loras College and in the State and Regional tournaments throughout the Midwest. At Loras usually playing at the #1 singles and doubles position, Jim won back - to - back personal Iowa Conference Tournament Championships and in match play won 55 and lost 16 matches over 4 years, still ranked 6th best winning record in 70 years of Loras Tennis. Jim's association with and support of St Pat's and Regis never waned. He served as an assistant football Coach to Howard "Chick" Kolstad at Regis in 1951 and at the request of the Diocese in 1975, Jim organized a Regis Development program, which includes the present Regis Foundation, annual Friends of Regis Fund Drive, and the Alumni Association, among several other Regis High School projects. \r\nJim is survived by his wife, Louise, of 53 years. Also by his daughter, Mary, and her husband Kent, their three children, Nicole, Tony and Sean; daughter Cathy, and her husband, Bill, and their two children, Will and Cassie; daughter, Ann, her partner Teresa; son, Jim, his wife Lori, and their two children James and Michael; son, John, his wife Linda; daughter, Nancy, and her husband Jim, and their two children Maggie and Sam; and by his daughter Beth, and her husband Jim. \r\nVisitation for Jim will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at St Patrick Catholic Church, 322 Fulton St., Eau Claire. There will be time set aside at 7 p.m. for prayers, public expressions and time of sharing memories. There will be no public visitation prior to Mass on Tuesday. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 17, 2009, at St. Patrick Catholic Church with Father William A. Dhein celebrating the Mass. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Eau Claire. Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home is serving his family.\r\nFamily requests memorials be directed to Regis High School, 2100 Fenwick Ave., Eau Claire, WI 54701, or St. Patrick Catholic Church, 322 Fulton St., Eau Claire, WI 54703

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