Michael Ross Jarvis

Michael Ross Jarvis was born in Coffeyville, KS November 3, 1954 to Bill Lee and Mavis (Starnes) Jarvis. Michael passed to his heavenly home on May, 9, 2025. Michael was raised in Tulsa and graduated from Nathan Hale High School in 1973. Michael knew his purpose in life was to serve others through firefighting and emergency services. After high school, he attended training classes at OSU Fire Extension, Tulsa Junior College fire safety , Rogers State College Cleet Certification, Rogers State College EMT, and Tulsa Auction School. He served as Captain with Nowata Fire Department, Fire Chief with Northwest Fire Protection District, Firefighter with Verdigris Fire Department and Firefighter with Vinita Fire Department until his retirement in 2001. In addition to his fire service, Michael served as a deputy sheriff for the Rogers County Sheriff Department and served as director of the Rogers County Emergency Management. After retirement Michael continued serving as a volunteer firefighter, including but not limited to, Rolling Hills Fire Department, Limestone Fire Department, and Verdigris Fire Department. Michael owned and operated multiple businesses: Okie Fire Apparatus, Okie Auction Company, Emergency Vehicle Resources, Med-Tec Ambulance Service, and Integrity Ambulance Service. He was also known for operating a handful of firework stands and Christmas tree lots earning him the nickname of “Anything for a buck Jarvis.”

Michael met the love of his life Lois (Starr) in 2001 and they were married at Christ Church on Harvard, Tulsa, OK in 2003. They made their home in the Verdigris community. When he wasn’t working Michael enjoyed fishing, hunting, spending time with his grandsons Braden and Walker, traveling (mainly to find emergency vehicles), auctions and spending time with family.

Michael is survived by his wife Lois, Verdigris; sons Brandon Michael Jarvis and Maranda Talley, Oologah; William Galyean and wife April, Broken Arrow; grandsons Braden Michael Jarvis, Verdigris; Walker Galyean, Broken Arrow; honorary daughter-in-law Brandi Jarvis, Verdigris; brother Bill Lee Jarvis, Jr., Verdigris; and many relatives. Michael was preceded in death by his parents, Bill & Mavis Jarvis, grandparents Orval and Nanna Belle Starnes, grandparents Arthur and Una Carr, Uncle Ronald Starnes, and cousin Steven Starnes.

Services will be held Friday, May 16, 2025, 10AM, Christ Church on Harvard at 3515 S Harvard, Tulsa, OK

In lieu of flowers the family is asking for donations to be made in Michael’s honor to any of the fire departments listed below:

Nowata Fire Department, 435 S. Cedar Street, Nowata, OK 74048

Northwest Rogers County Fire Protecton District, 6601 E. 400 Rd., Oologah, OK 74053

Rolling Hills Fire Protection District, 40 S. 200 E Ave., Tulsa, OK 74108

Online condolences may be made at www.honoringmemoriesnowata.com or on the funeral home Facebook page. Arrangements are in the care of Benjamin Funeral Service of Nowata.