Leroy Jarvis Funeral - Graveside only

Today we are here to remember the life of Leroy Jarvis. I’ve been asked by the family to lead this service which I consider a priviledge.

Let’s open our time with prayer.

Ira Leroy Jarvis, 81, of Parkersburg, passed away Friday, May 28, 2021, at the Camden Clark Medical Center.

He was born March 9, 1940, in Calhoun County, WV, a son of the late Ruben and Gladys Fowler Jarvis.

Leroy retired from E.I. DuPont Washington Works, and was a member of the Vienna Masonic Lodge.

He is survived by one son, Aaron C. Jarvis and his wife Natisha of Williamstown, WV.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly Ruth Ann Jarvis.

I remember Leroy from my time growing up at Fairlawn as a youth. Aaron and I were in the youth group together. We were actually one for the mowing crews at the church back in the day when you could actually allow teenagers to do work like that. He served in several capacities during he and Beverly’s time at the church. One which would tell you the trust people had in him was as a trustee of the church.

Leroy was a quiet man back then. He was a man of very few words. When He spoke, he spoke his mind. You always knew exactly how Leroy felt about something.

He and Beverly enjoyed camping and traveling around the state of WV. He also enjoyed reading, mainly reading about history. My wife, Julie, got to spend a little bit of time with him this past year. While his memory may have been failing him about recent events, he was sharp when it came to the past. They would talk about those old days and remembering people they both knew and the relationships he had with them.

He was by Beverly’s side as she bravely fought her cancer, and he is again. The promises we can take from scripture is since Leroy had accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior, that he is in the presence of our heavenly Father right now. When He took his final breath here, he went straight to the presence of our Lord.

John 11:25–26 ESV

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

Leroy believed this. While he may not be with us here physically anymore, we know exactly where he is.

When Jesus was on the cross with the other two being crucified, one of them believed who he was and Jesus told him in Luke 23:42-43, he would be with him that day.

Luke 23:42–43 ESV

42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

So, while we are sad at Leroy’s passing, we know where he is. We know where he is at, there are no more tears. There are no more pains of this world. There are no more battles with the frailties of this human body we now have.

Revelation 21:4 ESV

4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

If the man of few words had anything to share with us right now, it would be of the beauty he is now seeing and the importance for you to be a believer in the gift that was given to you in the sacrifice of God’s Son. he would want you to share in this.

If you would want to talk with me about this hope and faith I have, I would be more than happy to talk with you. Aaron and Tish have my contact information. I would be more than happy to come talk with you.

In the days ahead, continue to remember the family and each other as each of you adjusts to missing a man who was very quiet, but was larger than life.

Let’s pray.