Tarvin, J.M. SAN DIEGO J.M. went home to be with the Lord on December 14, 2013. He was born on September 9, 1934 in Marysville, Kansas, the youngest of eight children and the only boy. After high school, he enlisted in the Navy and was sent overseas during the Korean conflict where he was badly injured when his plane crashed into the sea. After his discharge, he used the GI bill and attended the University of Nebraska where he received a Masters in education. That began a long career in education that spanned many years, schools, and different roles in the San Diego Unified School District. The highlight of his career was serving as principal of La Jolla High School from 1984-1996. He was a natural leader, a hands-on principal, who ran the school efficiently with vision, passion and love while providing his students with the very best education and learning environment possible. He respected his students and knew them by name. J.M. was a good man with a quick wit and unique sense of humor, a people person with a light-up-a-room, bigger-than-life personality. His strong Midwest values, integrity and strength of character allowed him to take a stand for his convictions, even when he took a hit for doing so. Over the past decade he faced many physical adversities, but always with courage and faith. He was an amazing man, husband, father and grandfather. His family and friends are so grateful to have had him in their lives. He is survived by his wife and best friend, Judy; his daughter Christy (Greg), his stepchildren James Bouck (Megan), Matthew Bouck (Lori), and Amy Vullo (Marc); sister Barbara Joyce Huddle (Clyde) and eight grandchildren with one on the way. A memorial service will be held Saturday, December 21 at 10:00 AM at Shadow Mountain Community Church, 2100 Greenfield Drive, El Cajon, CA 92019.

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Published by San Diego Union-Tribune on Dec. 18, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for J.M. Tarvin

28 Entries

Lee Davis

December 12, 2022

I was proud to work with Mr. Tarvin. I worked with him at La Jolla high school. I learned a lot from him. He was a strong influence in my career as a Career Counselor. When I was transferred to another school I was sorry to leave because I truly admired this good man.
My prayers are with his family.

Ruth Yancey

December 12, 2019

Remembering a great man, praying for others to continue his work. Our schools are so needy in this culture today. May his family find God's joy in happy memories.

December 22, 2013

We will all really miss Jay. He WAS La Jolla High School! Our family was so lucky to be there during the years he was principal. May he rest in peace. Judi, Frank, Brent and Kathy Gordon.

Howard Cohen

December 21, 2013

To use terms like caring, hands-on, devoted educator, brillant, fun to be around, a life changer, a community motivator, and the name J.M. Tarvin in the same breath is redundant. He will be greatly missed.

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Avalee Cohen

December 21, 2013

So many wonderful memories of this great man. Although he influenced so many students, teachers, parents he was really a man who changed our community and how many of us parents interacted with our local middle & high school. His door was always (ALWAYS) open and anyone and everyone was welcome to drop in. He is a giant amoung giants - there will never be another J.M. Tarvin. He was a gift.

Janice and Wendell Jones

December 21, 2013

Judy, Wendell and I would like to express our sympathy in your loss. Less than 2 months ago it was your wonderful mother, now your husband. A death is so difficult at any time of the year, but now at the holidays it is especially hard. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.

December 21, 2013

It's with deep sympathy that I send this message to the family of J.M.Tarvin. Death is not an easy thing to go through, but just know that God is waiting to heal your broken hearts. Psalms 147: 3
Sincerely,
Valeria

M Lintell

December 20, 2013

JM Tarvin was a good man that we all respected and loved as students and friends. His dedication to our growth was admired. He will be missed and celebrated by all !! RIP Mr. Tarvin

Ed Walach

December 20, 2013

J.M. was one of the finest principals I've worked for. He always was upfront with his staff and always was true to his word. He was a leader in all respects. He will be missed. Rest in peace J.M..

Lenore Sevier

December 19, 2013

Mr. Travin was a great mentor and awesome principal. You will forever be in my heart.

Yancy Brown Class of 86'

Yancy Brown

December 19, 2013

Great/Fond memories of a great man in many of our lives-Muirlands Jr high 80-83 and La Jolla high school 83-86 . RIP Mr. Tarvin

Gwen Jackson

December 19, 2013

This hurts, tremendously! Bar none, he was the BEST principal on the planet. He saw something in me that wouldn't allow him to punish me. He made me laugh so hard and I returned the humor in my apology essays to him. I thank you very much Mr. Tarvin. Your leadership is unprecedented and your passion for student success beyond the classroom is astounding. My prayers to his family, friends and his students. La Jolla High School Class of 89

Karen Strickland

December 19, 2013

My name is Karen Strickland, a proud 1986 graduate of La Jolla High School and 1983 graduate of Muirlands Junior High. I'm also proud that Mr. Tarvin was my Principal at both schools. Mr. Tarvin was more than a Principal to us....he was a Friend, Mentor, and a Father Figure to his students. He knew us all by name as well as our parents names. I was a student that was bused in from Southeast San Diego, when Mr. Tarvin became Principal at La Jolla High he held monthly parent meetings in Southeast SD for parents who couldn't travel to La Jolla and that in itself endeared him to a lot of parents including my own Mother. My Mother always said Mr. Tarvin was the "coolest white man on the planet besides Frank Sinatra". When I told Mr. Tarvin what my Mom said he fell out laughing!!!! He truly LOVED his students and he always told us so. Mr. Tarvin cared about our academic, personal, and social well being. He wanted all of us to do and be our very best. Mr. Tarvin believed La Jolla High was the best school and that his La Jolla High students were the best in the San Diego Unified School District as his students we did our very best to prove him right. Even when we did wrong Mr. Tarvin turned whatever we did into a teachable learning experience. On behalf of my classmates of the La Jolla High School Class of 1986, I send my sincere condolences to Mr. Tarvin's Family and Friends. We love you Mr. Tarvin, rest in paradise....

Bill Osborn

December 19, 2013

Mr. Tarvin was a fantastic principal who was always interested in the students. He was kind, fair, and a true leader. His leadership style left a lasting impression on me.

December 19, 2013

JM was very kind to me when my husband had cancer. He helped me get through a tough time. He was a gentle man and will be in my prayers. Joanne Degen

December 19, 2013

With great condolence regarding the passing of J.M. Tarvin, and wishing Judy and all the family my most sincere sympathy.

Bill Holtwick (Hoover High Grad of 1963)

Ruth Yancey

December 18, 2013

My two granddaughters and I missed Mr. Tarvin after his retirement. He was a very caring, involved principal, inspiring the students to do their very best. God comfort you in this great loss, Judy and family.

Ruth Yancey

Stephen Fox

December 18, 2013

Mr. Tarvin was a kind, and dedicated man. He had high expectations for students staff, and himself...and his standards and example inspired great results. I will miss him very much

December 18, 2013

Judy and family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Jenny called from Boston to tell me the news. He made a great impact on her time at La Jolla HIgh, as he did everyone who knew him. He will be missed and his high standards and humanity will live on. Take care of yourself. Jan and Ron Weiss

Jennifer Tanner

December 18, 2013

Mr. Tarvin was my principal when I was a Rookie first year teacher. He was very patient, kind, and had a wonderful sense of humor He was very involved with the students and was highly visible on campus showing genuine interest in what the students and teachers were doing. He had an incredible memory for all of the students' names!! He was the finest "Old School" principal who I ever worked with. He treated us like family and teaching was a joy!

December 18, 2013

I send my sincere condolences to the family of J. Tarvin. I worked with J. Tarvin at La Jolla High. I worked for several principals in the San Diego Unified School District and have always felt that J. was the very best principal I ever worked for. He was always concerned for the welfare of his students and I respected him for that. Sometimes he and I disagreed, but we always came to a fair solution to the problem. I really admired him and was pleased to have been privileged to work under his supervision. May he rest in peace knowing how much good he did for all he knew.
My regards to the family. I know how much you will miss him. He was a very special person.
Lena M. Davis, Career Counselor Retired

Ruth Whitmore See

December 18, 2013

What a great community man.. so many of us were touched by his care and expertise.. a real education leader who is missed and respected by so many of us.. Ruth, Chris '81 and Jennifer '90..

Ernestine Smith

December 18, 2013

He was a great principal to work with, always supportive, and really fun to be around. He had La Jolla High humming along beautifully. All the best to Judy and family.

Jim Pilling

December 18, 2013

My thoughts and prayers go to the Tarvin family. I worked with Jay over the years as a City Schools Police Lieutenant. He was very personable and a "great politician" in the LaJolla community. It was a pleasure to work with him.

December 18, 2013

During my seventy-five years of experience with La Jolla Junior-Senior High School, then La Jolla High School, as a student, Class of 1944, teacher 1958-1963, parent, 1967-1977, grandparent, 1995-2011, J. M. Tarvin was by far the most impressive: highly capable, humane, personable, diligent --- you name it. For a number of reasons, I dealt to some degree with virtually all the LJHS principles during the above-mentioned years and feel that I have good and sufficient reason to recall my admiration for J. M. Tarvin and to express sorrow at his passing. Harry W. Crosby

Matt Rosenberg

December 18, 2013

A wonderful Principal and leader. Provided the vision and care that produced a unique learning environment at LJHS. Was the key figure for the success of LJHS for many years. He will be missed.

December 18, 2013

He is remembered warmly by our family of two kids who benefitted from his work as La Jolla High school principal. The Dysarts

Peggy Kelly Hembree

December 17, 2013

Ahh..bigger than life..so true
..oh how you will be missed

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