Obituary published on Legacy.com by Hadley Funeral Home - Windsor on Jan. 20, 2026.
John Edward "Sonny" Jarvis Jr., 87, of
Windsor, Missouri, passed away peacefully on January 19, 2026, in
Clinton, Mo. Born on October 13, 1938, in
Clinton, Missouri, John lived a life marked by dedication to family, country, and community.
From an early age, John exemplified a strong work ethic. At just eight years old, he began assisting his father with salvage work and took on various odd jobs throughout the
Windsor, Missouri area. As a teenager, he worked in local hay fields alongside his brother-in-law and contributed to public safety by salting roadways for the State of Missouri. He also worked at the Skelly Gas Station in Windsor under John Thacker-early experiences that laid the foundation for a lifetime of industriousness.
In 1958, John enlisted in the United States Navy and served honorably until 1962. He was stationed aboard the USS Frontier as a Torpedoman's Mate Second Class within the Pacific Fleet based out of Pearl Harbor Naval Base in Hawaii. His service reflected his steadfast commitment to duty and country.
Following his military service, John returned to Missouri and began a long career at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant in Buckner. Over the course of 32 years there-including seven years as maintenance foreman-he became known for his reliability and leadership. Even after retiring from Lake City, John's tireless spirit led him to continue working: first at Meyer Metal Craft in Windsor; then as co-proprietor of Triple J Siding with his nephews Jim and Johnny Lee Ash; later mowing lawns for Sonny Conn; and finally working at Walmart in Clinton.
John's life was rich not only with work but also with personal passions. He found joy in woodworking, gardening, and took great pride in lawn care. A lover of animals, he had a special fondness for horses and dogs and was known for feeding neighborhood squirrels-a small act that spoke volumes about his caring nature.
He is lovingly remembered by his wife of 63 years, Janice K. Jarvis; sons Chris Jarvis and Michael Jarvis; daughter Amy Salas; son-in-law John Salas; daughter-in-law Duangmala Phaophant-Jarvis; grandchildren Morgan (Salas) Carpenter (Jeremy), Allie (Salas) Coronado (Cord), Jacob Salas, Seth Jarvis, Maggie Jarvis, and Scott Jarvis; as well as great-grandchildren Chloe, Logan, Annalise, Chase, and Mia.
John was preceded in death by his parents John Edward Jarvis Sr. and Elmira (York) Jarvis; and sisters Elnora Huff, Dorothy Orfield, and Joann (Ash) Oswald.
Throughout his life-from humble beginnings through military service to decades of hard work-John remained dedicated to those around him. His legacy lives on through the many lives he touched with his kindness and perseverance.
May his memory bring comfort to those who knew him.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, January 22, 2026, at the Hadley Funeral Home, Windsor. Burial will be in the Laurel Oak Cemetery, Windsor. The family will receive friends before the service from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. The family suggests contributions to Calvary Baptist Church, Windsor, or the Windsor Dog Pound. Those contributions can be left in care of the funeral home.