Thomas "Tom" Jarvis

1934 - 2018

SHERMAN - Thomas (Tom) Jarvis, age 83, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 31, 2018 surrounded by friends and family.
Tom was born on September, 24, 1934 in Carthage, Texas. He spent a few years there with his family before they moved to Sherman. In Sherman, during elementary school, he met the love of his life, Jerri Adams. The Bearcat football player married his cheerleader sweetheart in 1953 shortly after graduating from Sherman High School. They lived in Sherman while he attended Austin College. After graduating from Austin College, Tom attended law school at the University of Texas but decided to return home to begin raising a family. His first job in sales was in Amarillo and from there the family moved to Atlanta, Georgia and then Richardson. In 1970, Tom decided to return to Sherman and with help from his family started his own business. Tom found a book on dry cleaning and from there; he began the family business - Holiday Cleaners. At one point, he operated two production sites and twelve satellite locations. He eventually owned the Texas Laundry and operated it for years with the help of his two sons.
Tom made taking care of his family a priority and his love of family included his large extended family. He was most happy about moving to Sherman because it allowed him to raise his children in the town he grew up in. Tom was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Sherman, joining upon his return to Sherman in 1970. He served on numerous boards at the church and was very proud of his work relating to the construction of Wesley Village, a successful Methodist operated retirement home in Denison. He also met The Rev. Jack Gibson and his lovely wife Clara through the church and they became lifelong friends.
Tom was predeceased by his wife, Jerri, and is survived by his sons, David Jarvis and wife, Karen, daughter Melissa Wortham and husband, Mike, Bob Jarvis and wife, Kim, and John Jarvis and grandchildren Brandon Jarvis and fiancée Carrie Gilmore, Colton Franks, Chris Jarvis and Chloe Jarvis; Hassie Wortham and Witt Wortham, Samantha Jarvis, Danielle Jarvis and finance Kamran Zafar; Kelsey Jarvis, and great grandson Benton Jarvis; brothers Bill Jarvis and wife, Joyce, and Don Jarvis and wife, Sue; sisters Martha Box and husband, Steve, and Kay White and husband, Steve; sister in law Wanda Groce and many nieces and nephews. He was greeted in heaven by special friends Jerry Stewart and "Teeny" Wright, parents Ava Ora and Linous Jarvis, grandson Josh Jarvis and his long time hero, football star Doak Walker.
Tom enjoyed playing dominoes, especially with his brothers Bill and Don, Saturday breakfasts with Jerri and their friends, family gatherings, attending Sherman High School football games and other athletic events and Bearcat reunions. Tom and Jerri never missed any events involving their children or grandchildren. At the Woodlands he was affectionately known as "Bearcat" and constantly wore a Sherman High School Hat.
Tom was known as "Pop" to his grandchildren who adored him dearly. One of their favorite memories is from Christmas Eve each year where he would read the story of Jesus' birth from the family Bible before gifts were exchanged in a crazy contentious game of Chinese Christmas.
Visitation is at Waldo Funeral Home on Monday June 4, 2018 from 5-7 p.m. The funeral service will be held at First United Methodist Church on Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Friendship Cemetery. Pallbearers are Tom Stewart, Jerry Allen Wright, Chico Aleman, Scott Carter, Bo Pennell, and Johnny Brownlow.
The family would like to thank all of his caregivers at The Woodlands, especially Amy, for the love and care they gave him. Tom took Amy under his wing when he hired her at the Texas Laundry at age 15. She more than returned the favor with her care for him at the Woodlands over the last six months. The family extends a special thank you to Guy Fogle, his roommate at The Woodlands, who always looked out for and supported Tom. The family would also like to thank Grayson County Home Hospice for its guidance and support.
Tom never met a stranger and will be greatly missed by all who knew him, especially his family.
The register book can be signed online at waldofuneralhome.com.