Carlton "Bud" Roy Jarvis

Carlton “Bud” Roy Jarvis of Caro, age 87, passed away at home surrounded by his family on Wednesday, December 10, 2025. He was born on December 24, 1937 in Lapeer, the son of the late Elmer and Laura (Swailes) Jarvis. Bud graduated from Lapeer High School and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University. He started teaching in St. Clair Shores and then at Lapeer Junior High, where he happened to meet the former MaryBeth Kapusto in the teacher’s lounge. They dated, fell in love, and were united in marriage on August 17, 1963. Following their marriage, they packed up and moved to East Lansing for Bud to continue his education and chase his dream of becoming a Wildlife Biologist.

Only one semester shy of graduation, Bud was offered a position with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources as a Wildlife Biologist at the Gratiot-Saginaw Game Area. After spending just over a year in the Saginaw area, he transferred to the DNR office in Caro, where he would spend the majority of his career. Bud deeply loved his work and retired in November of 1999, proudly having accrued every one of his sick days. Following retirement, he continued working for several years as a driver for Moore Motors. While Bud was devoted to his career, he embraced retirement with even greater enthusiasm. He and MaryBeth enjoyed traveling with friends, exploring new places, and spending a month each year in Florida for more than two decades.

Bud enjoyed hunting pheasants with his friends. Was a member of Pheasants Forever and raised many hunting dogs. He was always up for a round of golf, golfing well into his 80’s and loved playing Bridge, especially lately with his buddies at the Caro Golf Course. He was known for his love of gardening and the care and pride he put into it.

A faithful member of Caro United Methodist Church, Bud sang in the choir, served as an usher, and worked alongside MaryBeth in maintaining the church’s Memorial Garden. In his younger years, he was actively involved in coaching his children’s sports, playing in the church softball league, and helping to establish the Caro Little League.

Bud was known for his steady, nonjudgmental nature and quiet strength. He had a dry, subtle sense of humor that caught people off guard and left lasting smiles. He loved country music, playing euchre with family, and treasured every moment spent with his grandchildren, especially the summer vacations they shared together. Bud will be forever remembered as a loving, kind, and wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and friend whose presence brought comfort and joy to all who knew him.

Bud leaves to cherish his memory, his devoted wife of sixty-two years, MaryBeth; children, Jennifer (Mark) Opfermann, Andrew (Renee) Jarvis, and Sarah Jarvis; grandchildren, Luke & Nathan Opfermann and Rebecca, Allison, Zachary, and Ryan Jarvis; siblings, Dale (Nancy) Jarvis, Ralph Jarvis, David (Belinda) Jarvis, and Mary Powell; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Diane Kapusto, Buddy (Bobbi) Kapusto, and Elaine (Ron) Rolando; many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Bud was preceded in death by his siblings, William Jarvis and Joyce Beauchamp and sister-in-law & brother-in-law, Judy & Dean Kreiner.

Bud’s memorial service will be on Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at the Caro United Methodist Church with Rev. Robert Demyanovich officiating. The family will be present to receive visitors at the church on Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of his service. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider memorial contributions to the Good Samaritan Food Pantry or the church’s Memorial Garden.