David LaVerl Jarvis

David LaVerl Jarvis was born Dec. 8, 1939, in Phoenix, Ariz., to Edna Killpack and R. LaVerl Jarvis. In 1947 LaVerl and Edna, with children Verlene, David, and Reed moved from Phoenix to a 40-acre farm on Floating Feather Road in Eagle. Another brother, Richard, later joined the family. During David's growing-up years the family resided in the Eagle-Meridian-Nampa area. David attended area schools and graduated from Nampa High School in 1957. He was active in band and debate during his high school years.
He graduated from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, in 1960. By going to school year round, he earned his degree in only three years. He then served for two and a half years in the Brazil South Mission as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Immediately after his mission release he courted and convinced Barbara Joy Cook from Idaho Falls to marry him. They were married Dec. 7, 1962, in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple.
They set up housekeeping in Nampa and also lived short times in Greeley, Colo., and La Grande, Ore. In 1965 they moved to a 40-acre farm on the southwest corner of Chinden and Eagle. There they raised their nine highly energetic and individual children, Mike, Dan, Mark, Ann, Susan, Joe, Matt, Joy and Jennifer, who have since grown into wonderful adults.
To provide for this lively group, David was employed in insurance and real estate. To keep them out of mischief, David made sure there were cows, chickens, pigs, dogs, cats and an occasional horse. He also generously allowed them to clean ditches, irrigate, fix fences, garden, bale and stack hay, and maintain an early morning paper route. In return, to date they have kindly given him 27 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
In 1998 their farm gave way to subdivisions and they moved to Eagle, where they have resided since. He was always active and faithful in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many different capacities. In 2006, after the children were all grown, David and Barbara went to the south of Brazil and served a mission together. They returned to Eagle on Aug. 7, 2007. Two months and four days later, on Oct. 11, 2007, David's time on this earth ended. We all look forward to that future date when we will again be with him and he will open the door and say, "Welcome to my house!"
He is survived by his wife Barbara, the nine children listed above (six with spouses), siblings Verlene, Reed and Richard, his fabulous grandchildren and one very precious great-grandchild. A viewing will be held from 6-8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14, at Summers Funeral Homes, Ustick Chapel, Meridian. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 15, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter -day Saints, Eagle 2nd Ward (700 W. State St). Burial will follow at the Meridian Cemetery. Arrangements are by Summers Funeral Homes, Ustick Chapel.