Blaine Louis Jarvis

Surrounded by his family, Blaine Louis Jarvis, Sr. passed peacefully through the veil in the early morning hours of Friday, March 29, 2019.  He was 81 years old.  Blaine was born on a Tuesday, August 3, 1937, in Snowflake, Navajo County, Arizona to his parents, the late Jesse Rulon, Jr. and Rilla (Johnson) Jarvis. How grateful we are for this last week of joy, laughter and shared memories that Blaine was able to spend with family and friends.  Our dad loved his sweet Eternal Companion, each of his kids, grandkids and great-grandchildren. Oh, how he loved serving his beloved town of Snowflake as a teacher, a coach, an announcer and by being a friend to all!  We all will miss him however, we envision the joyous reunion he is having on the other side of the veil with his family members and friends who've gone on before.  We know he is free from the pain and suffering of his earthly body which he endured, so faithfully and magnificently, during the last years of his life.

Blaine married his forever sweetheart, Verona Gail Sechrest, on November 28, 1960, in the Mesa Arizona Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  They most recently celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary together.  Throughout their life together, Blaine and Verona worked hard in raising children who all grew into independent responsible adults whom all have beautiful families of their own.  Being born of goodly parents, Blaine  was taught, by example, the value of having a good education and the importance of working hard so he could provide a comfortable living for his family. 

He received a Bachelor's Degree from Brigham Young University and later, went on to receive his Master's Degree in Education from Northern Arizona University.  He was an educator throughout his life and was a favorite teacher to, literally, thousands of students.  In the early years of his career, Blaine taught Business Classes at Snowflake High School for 4 years.  He also taught Seminary for a year and was the 4th grade school teacher at Snowflake Intermediate School for 1 year.  Blaine then went on to teach the Typing Class and Social Studies at Snowflake Junior High School for 27 years.  During his tenure as an educator, Blaine led 9 tours of students to Washington, D.C. and other historic sites.  As he was one to "never let the grass grow under his feet," Blaine also worked as the Director of District Activities for the Town of Snowflake and was an announcer at softball games for 32 years.  No one could announce a game the way Blaine did.  He is fondly remembered for the way he personalized each and every play; even giving personal achievement stats of the players themselves. 

Blaine had an unwavering faith and testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Daily, he tried to follow the Lord's admonition to "Love one another."  He was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had the opportunity to serve in many church callings through the years.  Blaine was able to serve as one of the counselors of the Lamanite Branch and also served as the Elders Quorum President for several years.  Blaine was called to be the Snowflake Ward and Snowflake Stake Sunday School President for many years.  Too, he was a Councilman for the Snowflake Stake High Council and was even a Primary teacher to the children of his ward.  Blaine also had the distinction of being the Snowflake 6th Ward's very first Ward Clerk and he enjoyed every moment of that calling.  He loved any calling in which he was called to serve.  One of his most cherished responsibilities was that of being a Home Teacher to many, many families throughout his long life.  He looked forward to visiting his home teaching families each and every month and rarely, if ever, missed a visit.  He firmly believed that when he was "in the service of his fellow beings, he was only in the service of his God."  Truly, this good man was a valiant saint and always knew that he was a child of God. 

Blaine Louis Jarvis, Sr. is survived by: his wife, Verona Gail Jarvis of Snowflake, AZ; 5 children:  Blaine Louis, Jr. (Dawn) Jarvis of Mesa, AZ, Janet (Lee) Funkhouser of Mesa, AZ, Kelly (Jennifer) Jarvis of Taylor, AZ, Mitch (Shiela) Jarvis of Chandler, AZ, Ryan (Megan) Jarvis of Gilbert, AZ; 2 sisters:  Judy Stock of Mesa, AZ, Suzanne Knighton of Gilbert, AZ; 2 brothers:  Norman Jarvis of Glendale, AZ, Tom (Lovenia) Jarvis of Apache Junction, AZ; 19 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.  Blaine was also looking forward to the birth of a new great-grandchild who is on the way.  Along with his parents, Blaine was preceded in death by 4 brothers:  Richard Jarvis, Rex Jarvis, James Jarvis and Gary Jarvis.

If our dad influenced you in anyway, please, join us as we celebrate his life.  The viewing and Friends' Calling will be from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., Friday, April 12, 2019, at Owens Livingston Mortuary - Heritage Chapel, 84 E. 19th South Street in Snowflake, Arizona.  The funeral service will begin 11:00 A.M., Saturday, April 13, 2019, at the Main Street Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 48 Main Street in Snowflake, where additional visitation will begin 1 hour prior.  The concluding service and interment will immediately follow at the R.V. "Mike" Ramsay Memorial Cemetery in Snowflake, Arizona.  We, as a family, rejoice in the pure knowledge of the plan of salvation which is Heavenly Father's Great Plan of Happiness.  From it we receive much peace and comfort during this difficult time. Together we all say, "We love you and, until we meet again, Rest in Peace."