The Rt. Rev. Oliver Bailey Garver, Jr., retired Suffragan Bishop of Los Angeles, died Aug. 2 at his home in Westwood, CA. He was 71.

Bishop Garver was a native of Hollywood, CA. He graduated from the University of California at Los Angeles with a B.S. degree, Harvard University, (M.B.A.), Episcopal Theological School, (B.D.), and Church Divinity School of the Pacific, (D.D.). He served in the United States Naval Reserve, 1945-1946, and as a cost accounting manager for Lockheed Aircraft Corporation until 1959. In 1963, he was ordained priest and began his ministry as assistant of St. Alban's, Los Angeles from 1962 to 1965. He continued his service at the Church of the Epiphany, New York, NY, 1965-1966, and at East Los Angeles Parish, 1966-1973. Bishop Garver was chairman of the Commission of Liturgics and Church Music.

Bishop Garver was committed to the resettlement of refugees from Central America and Southeast Asia through his service as a member of Episcopal Asian-American Ministers, the board of Neighborhood Youth Association, the Los Angeles County Refugee Forum, the Korean Service Center, the Citizens' Advisory Committee on Refugees, American Immigrations and Citizenship Council, and Hispanic Asian Pacific Island Ministry Development.

A dedicated supporter of AIDS ministry, Bishop Garver was influential in forming the Bishop's Commission on AIDS Ministries. He also supported numerous social agencies including the Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law, the YMCA, the American Red Cross, and the Community Youth Gang Services.

Bishop Garver was consecrated Suffragan Bishop of Los Angeles in 1985 after the death of the Rt. Rev. Robert C. Rusack. He retired in 1990. Bishop Garver is survived by his mother, a brother, six nieces and one nephew.