Joe W. Jarvis

Joseph Wear Jarvis, age 95, of La Grande, died Wednesday, September 15, 2004 at a local care facility. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, September 23, 2004 at 11:00 a.m. at the Summerville Cemetery Chapel with Pastor Bill Miller officiating. Viewing will be held on Wednesday from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Daniels Chapel of the Valley.

Joe was born on November 25, 1908, the son of Samuel M. and Helen F. (Beattie) Jarvis in Semmes, Alabama. When he was 6 months of age, the family moved to central Idaho where his parents owned a farm. The family later moved to Ontario, Oregon and in 1928 he graduated from Ontario High School. In 1932 he earned his B.S. degree from Oregon State College. He than taught vocational agriculture in Amity in 1933, in Imbler in 1934-1936 and in Union in 1937. He then went to work as the Agriculture Agent for Union Pacific Railroad in Boise, Idaho, covering the states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana and Utah. In 1941 he was made Supervisor of Agricultural Development and in 1957 he became Supervisor of Livestock and Agriculture and was based in Omaha. On January 1, 1972 he retired from Union Pacific Railroad. During his time with the railroad he traveled all over the west educating the farmers and ranchers and distributed pamphlets that he wrote on various agricultural topics.

On June 11, 1938 he married Marjorie Woodell in Portland, Oregon. While working for the railroad they purchased a farm in Summerville which was his joy in life. After retiring he and his wife moved to their farm and he enjoyed working the farm until he was no longer able to. He was one of the pioneers in grass seed production in the Grande Ronde Valley. He enjoyed fly fishing.

Joe was a 67 year member of Hiram Masonic Lodge#67 in Elgin and a member of the Scottish Rite, Royal Arch Masons, Al Kader Shrine, Union County Shrine Club and Blue Mtn. Chapter Order of Eastern Star. He was also a member of Alpha Gamma Rho and served on the OSU Alumni Board for several Years.

Survivors include his wife, Marjorie of La Grande; son, Joe Jarvis of Cove; daughter and son-in-law, Kathleen and John Hatton of Imbler; grandchildren, Patti and Joseph Hansen of Plano, Texas, Christopher and Jian Hatton of North Hollywood, California and J. Wesley and Andrea Jarvis of Little Elm, Texas; great grandchildren, Ashley Hall of Vancouver, Washington and Olivia Hatton of North Hollywood, California; sister, Elnora Reed of Sacramento, California; numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends. His sister, Mary Jarvis, preceded him in death in February of 1985.

Family suggests contributions be made to the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children, the Oregon Scottish Rite Clinics or the GRH Hospice in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850,