John Edsol Jarvis

John Edsol Jarvis, of Groesbeck, passed away at Groesbeck LTC on Wednesday, June 8, 2016, with his wife and family at his side. Visitation will be Friday, June 10, 2016, from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Groesbeck Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, June 11, 2016, in the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel, with Brother Richard Williams of the Church of Christ of Groesbeck officiating. Burial will follow in Cobb Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Marcus Hanna, Donald Broughton, James Broughton, Chris Henderson, Brandon Little, and David Hughes. John Edsol was born April 23, 1930 to John Avery Jarvis and Hettie Bell Williams Jarvis in Thornton, the youngest of four children. John’s father passed away when he was nine, and his mother married Henry Riley Rasco, who was a great part of his upbringing. He grew up at Davis Prairie and was a Thornton Tiger, graduating from Thornton High in 1947. John served a short tenure in the U. S. Navy right after school. John Edsol was united in marriage with Shirley Ann Smith on March 22, 1952. They had become friends as she walked by his sister Sally’s house on her way to school. They lived in Houston after their marriage, but moved back to Groesbeck two years later. John worked as a plumber all his working career, although he had many other skills. He did 90% of the work in building their house in town, moving part of the family house from the country to use in the home in town. John retired from plumbing in April 1992, but continued to stay busy at home and in the country. He loved going to “the country”; if he didn’t have anything else to do, he would go to the country to pull goat weeds. John’s greatest talent was in raising his children, with lots of fun times playing together, but with strong work ethics and good values which they learned from both John and Shirley. While the kids were little, John and Shirley enjoyed playing volleyball with friends at Ben Hur. They also played cards and canasta while all the children played “kick the can” and caught fireflies. When the kids were older, John coached his son’s Little League team for many years, and attended all the kids and grandchildren’s sports and school events as long as he could. After his day’s work, no matter how tired when he came home, he was always outside playing with them. Even later when he had grandchildren, he played with them, and had a famous “Granny shot” which got the ball in the basket and always amazed them. He remained an avid Groesbeck Goat fan, attending many of the school’s functions. John may have been strict, but he was a fun and loving father. One of the girls' earliest chores was ironing his starched handkerchiefs. After the kids were out on Friday nights "making the drag" (and he had written down the mileage on the vehicles) he made them “get up on Saturday mornings and get their work done.” They learned to drive while going to the country every Sunday, and after working there, they could look forward to coming home and having “home-made” ice cream. They have many loving memories and they realize where their work ethic came from. John also gave volunteer time to the community with many projects. He and his son, John, helped paint the swimming pool when it was re-opened, and he spearheaded the drive to build the youth park on Parkside Dr. (with Mr. Latham and others.) John was always willing to help anyone. Even after working all day, he would go help anyone who called, (especially the little old ladies) from plumbing emergencies to changing light bulbs. Family and friends always knew they could count on him. John was a loving and caring man to his family, and had a smile on his face when anyone saw him. He was always joking and had funny stories, and when not working, could be seen rocking on the front porch waving to everyone. He was Papa John or Papa Edsol to the grandchildren and the nephews called him Uncle Tommy. John was a member of the Church of Christ of Groesbeck. John’s life changed twenty-three years ago after a stroke. Shirley was his loving and devoted caregiver at home for the next fifteen years, and at the Groesbeck LTC for the next eight years. Shirley not only gave John all the attention possible at the nursing home but also was a helping friend to the other patients. John inspired everyone who came in contact with him all through the years with his friendly smile and his numerous stories. John Edsol was preceded in death by his parents, John Avery Jarvis, Hettie Bell Jarvis Rasco, and Henry Riley Rasco; his brother, Edgar Jarvis and sister, Sally Hanna Cartwright; and three nephews. He is survived by his loving wife of sixty-four years, Shirley Jarvis of Groesbeck; son and daughter-in-law, John Leslie and Linda Jarvis of Fairfield; daughter and son-in-law, Deborah and Mike Little of Groesbeck; daughter, Kathy Sillavan of Montgomery; eight grandchildren (and their spouses): Chris Henderson and wife Kristy, Michele Coffin and husband Pete, Leslie Jarvis, Jenifer Twitty and husband Bryan, Brandon Little and wife Meredith, Ashley Darden, Jessica Anderson and husband Jack, and David Hughes. The twelve great grandchildren are: Taylor Atkins, Zachary Henderson, Paige Spivey, Andrew Rhodes, Leslie Anderson, Emory Twitty, Madison Knapik, Rex Bean, Piper Little, Brylan Twitty, Noble Ohland, and C. J. Henderson. He also leaves behind one sister, Flois Carter of Pasadena; 4 nephews and 1 niece; and many other extended family and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of John Edsol Jarvis may be made to Providence Hospice (107 E. Commerce, Mexia, TX 76667.)