Garvin Edward Roberson

Garvin Edward Roberson, 70, of Elkhart, Indiana, was found deceased on December 2, 2022.

Garvin was born on April 6, 1952, to the late Herron Jr. and Ella Mae Roberson in Milan, Tennessee.

Garvin graduated from Elkhart High School in 1970.  He was a National Honor Society student and a Senior Class Officer.  Garvin was a prep All-American in football and basketball.  He was also All-State in Indiana in both sports.  He scored 1,355 points in his Elkhart High School career, with a career-best 51 points, which is still a North Side Gym record.  Garvin also had 24 rebounds in that game.  He was named a member of the Indiana All-Star team in 1970, which defeated Kentucky twice.  He was the co-MVP in the North-South football game that summer. Garvin was the co-Bringle Award winner as the top senior athlete at Elkhart High School for the 1969-70 school year.  He earned three varsity letters in football and two in basketball at the University of Illinois.  He was an All-Big Ten selection at wide receiver as a junior and senior. Garvin signed a contract with the Washington Redskins as a non-drafted free agent before a shoulder injury ended his career.  Garvin is enshrined in the Indiana High School Basketball Hall of Fame and was named to the Indiana Silver Anniversary basketball team in 1995.

After receiving his teaching certificate, Garvin began to teach and coach.  He taught for Elkhart Community Schools, where he also coached basketball and track for both boys and girls and football for over 30 years.   He was a longtime Youth Sports Director at the YMCA.  Garvin was also an assistant coach with the Elkhart Express semi-professional basketball team.  He helped to begin the Tolson Summer Basketball League with his brother Warren Roberson. Garvin recently worked for Bashor Group Home.  He had a huge personality and was a comedian without even trying to be. Garvin enjoyed listening to Motown sounds, James Brown and BB King.  He loved Elkhart High School and was the epitome of “Once a Blazer, Always a Blazer.”

 Garvin was predeceased by his parents, Herron Jr. and Ella Mae Roberson; a wife, Jacquie (Nash) Roberson; and Brother, Warren Roberson.  Garvin is survived by his son, Daimon Beathea; Step-son, Ronald Nash II; Brother, Roderic (Regina) Roberson; Fiancee’ Debra Hogan; Uncle, Coley Webb, Jr.; Granddaughters, Olivya Beathea and Michaela Whitaker; Nephews, Rannen (Rachel) Roberson, Christian Roberson; Nieces, Tylar Roberson and Taryn Roberson; Grandnephews Rannen Roberson Jr. and Juan Small; and Grandniece Rilynn Roberson.  He also leaves a host of other relatives and friends.

A Celebration of Life for Garvin will be held Saturday, December 10, 2022 at North Side Gymnasium in Elkhart at 2:00 PM. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home.

Garvin will truly be missed.  Instead of flowers, please send donations to the Humane Society of Elkhart County - 54687 Co Rd 19, Bristol, IN 46507 and/or Elkhart Athletic Department - 2608 California Road, Elkhart, IN 46514

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