Karl Jarvis August 19, 1947 - April 29, 2023

Days after being born in the Navajo Nation, USA, at Ganado Hospital, on August 19, 1947, Karl Jarvis survived his first brush with death when his big brother Mervin hopped in the back seat of the car and said, “Where’s the baby?!” and then realized he was sitting on him. Karl Jarvis of Spring Lake, Utah, after a heart-breaking struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease, passed away on Saturday morning, April 29, 2023, at the young age of 75.

His parents are Earl Jarvis and Lillian Loree Hamblin Jarvis. Karl has six siblings: Floyd, Maela, Mervin, Katherine, Dorothy (who died as an infant) and Virgene. Karl graduated from St. Johns High School in Arizona. He attended Brigham Young University (BYU) majoring in Recreation Management and Youth Leadership. He earned his bachelor’s degree and graduated with a teaching certificate in 1971. Karl graduated as a BSA Executive and served in the Springfield Missouri Counsel and later served in the Tremonton Utah Counsel. It should be noted that as a BYU student he had a minor in Religion. He loved to study the gospel. He continued to spend the rest of his life studying many subjects, exploring new places, and meeting new people. He loved to learn about American history and American government. He frivolously tossed in a study on American, and English Literature, and he had a special love for Shakespeare and poetry.

Karl married Sandra Raymond in the Provo, Utah Temple on March 10, 1972. They are the proud parents of six children whom they raised in St. Johns, Arizona. His children and wife knew they were loved by him and they felt it every moment he was with them in life. His great love continues to be felt by his family even now that he is in the spirit world.

Karl’s career was spent in education at its fundamental level – teaching. As Karl settled into teaching at the middle school level he became the students’ favorite because they always got to perform a Shakespearean play and learn all kinds of poetry. Karl taught at other places besides St. Johns. He taught at Pearce Arizona, Dadeville Missouri, Monroe Utah, Spring Lake Utah, Red Mesa Arizona, and Keokuk Iowa.

As a young man, he served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the South Eastern States Mission, which included West Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

Karl remained a life-long, active member of the church, serving energetically and faithfully in various callings; including, counselor in a mission presidency, counselor in a bishopric, elders quorum president, stake and ward mission leader (Karl was a member of the seventies quorum for many years), and scout master. He also served as a BSA executive in two councils: Springfield Missouri Council and Tremonton Utah Council. Wherever he served, it was without thought of himself or any recompense.

He loved reading poetry, church and history books. He also enjoyed gardening, milking the cow (yes, you read that correctly), taking care of farm animals, and visiting with people of all walks of life. He was a friend to everyone, regardless of their appearance or station in life. Karl loved sports. He was the high school quarterback and the baseball pitcher. He loved all of the sports! He coached junior high girls basketball. Through the years Karl went to all of his children’s games.

Having Alzheimer’s, Karl left us so gradually, we almost didn’t notice. But, swift and sweet will be our reunion in the eternal courts of heaven above. We love you, Karl.

Karl is survived by his eternal companion, Sandra; and their children: Benjamin Karl Jarvis (Amy Carpenter Jarvis) of St. Johns Arizona, Jennifer Jarvis Dengin (Sergei Nikolaeivich Dengin) of Spring Lake Utah, Nathan Earl Jarvis (Haylee Harkness Jarvis) of Park City Utah, Spencer Raymond Jarvis (Heidi Allred Jarvis) of Spanish Fork Utah, David Erwin Jarvis (Stephanie Puente Jarvis) of Springville Utah, and Jared Vernon Jarvis (Jenna Arlene Colton Jarvis) of Springville Utah. He has 18 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.  Karl is also survived by four of his siblings: Floyd Jarvis (Mary Lynne Burkhart Jarvis) of Ashland Oregon; Mervin Jarvis (Luana Bond Jarvis, deceased; Sharon Norcia Mason Jarvis) of St. Johns Arizona, Katherine Jarvis Jones (Melvin Lawrence Jones) of Mesa Arizona, Virgene Jarvis Silvers Ugwu (Bill Silvers, deceased; Francis Tochukwu) of St. Johns Arizona.  He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters: Maela Beth Jarvis Collinwood (Verl George Collinwood, deceased) and Dorothy Jarvis who died as an infant.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 952 West 1580 South in Payson, Utah. Visitation will be prior from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the church. Interment will be in Mapleton Cemetery, 620 West Maple Street, Mapleton, Utah.

One of Karl’s favorite poems:

The Children’s Hour

By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Between the dark and the daylight,
When the night is beginning to lower,
Comes a pause in the day’s occupations,
That is known as the Children’s Hour.

I hear in the chamber above me
The patter of little feet,
The sound of a door that is opened,
And voices soft and sweet.

From my study I see in the lamplight,
Descending the broad hall stair,
Grave Alice, and laughing Allegra,
And Edith with golden hair.

A whisper, and then a silence:
Yet I know by their merry eyes
They are plotting and planning together
To take me by surprise.

A sudden rush from the stairway,
A sudden raid from the hall!
By three doors left unguarded
They enter my castle wall!

They climb up into my turret
O’er the arms and back of my chair;
If I try to escape, they surround me;
They seem to be everywhere.

They almost devour me with kisses,
Their arms about me entwine,
Till I think of the Bishop of Bingen
In his Mouse-Tower on the Rhine!

Do you think, O blue-eyed banditti,
Because you have scaled the wall,
Such an old mustache as I am
Is not a match for you all!

I have you fast in my fortress,
And will not let you depart,
But put you down into the dungeon
In the round-tower of my heart.

And there will I keep you forever,
Yes, forever and a day,
Till the walls shall crumble to ruin,
And moulder in dust away!