He was also a hard headed guy. When he got something in his mind, get out of his way, he got it done. Just a for instance....
Out at the Park, Jarvis did his research and knew there was a cheap and efficient way to handle wastewater and sewage via a cheap to operate lagoon facility. Regulators and other dumb bunnies fought his decision. He did it anyway and turned out, it worked. That is, it worked until dumbshirt current leadership decided to construct a more standard and costly to build and operate, septic system at the Park. By that time, Don had aged out of local leadership and could not fight that last local battle.
Another pet project of his was the County Clay swimming pool. The Admiral was at the helm when they came up with grants to cover the cost of a new costly pool liner. It was him that engineered free chemicals to keep the operating expenses down and did so for decades. He knew how to deal with people.
While he did come across as crusty at first blush, Don was real big on the kids and was there organizing the annual Santa Greet for for years.
We asked him about those bushy eyebrows. Sometime back we printed references to his bushy squirrel tail eyebrows. He told us, those eyebrows were the only thing the military let him keep intact, his only identity. He was proud of em too.
Whether it was handling Lion Club duties, Park duties, running his farm, working with the Apple Festival, keeping the public pool running, the list goes on and on, Don Jarvis was a friend to County Clay and will be missed.
Captain Donald H. Jarvis, 96 of Maysel, WV, a 35-year veteran of the United States Navy, entered into rest on June 29, 2024. He was born on December 29, 1927, to the late Greely and Gladys (Engle) Jarvis. Don graduated from Spencer High School on June 3, 1944, at the age of 16, attended Potomac State College from 1944-1946, and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1951. He was in flight training in Pensacola, Florida from 1951-1953 and was wounded in action in Vietnam on February 12, 1967. While in the service he served as an Air Officer, a Squadron Commanding Officer, a Naval Plant Representative and a Landing Signal Officer. He was awarded the Air Medal, the Purple Heart, the Navy Unit Commendation with Star, Expert Pistol; Expert Shot Rifle, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; World War II Victory Medal, Occupation Medal, Vietnam Campaign with Star, National Defense Service Medal with Star, Vietnam Service Medal with Clasp, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the American Defense Service Medal and the Combat Action Ribbon. He retired from the United States Navy on February 1, 1981, with the rank of Captain.
Don was very active in the community. He loved his community and was past president of the Lions Club, past president of Clay County Parks and Rec, past president of Clay Golden Delicious Festival, past president of WV Cattleman’s Association, and served as Supervisor and past president of Elk Conservation District. He also worked with the Greater Kanawha RCD, was a Master Mason of the Masonic Lodge #126, Clendenin, WV, with 74 years of service. Don was instrumental in starting Maysel Park and the Clay County Agricultural Fair.
Don is preceded in death by his children William Jarvis, Dona Jarvis, second wife Dora Jean Jarvis.
Don is survived by his wife of 15 years, Keyota Jarvis, and children Donald (Betty) Jeffery Jarvis of Port Charlotte, Florida, Alice Jarvis of New Castle, Delaware, stepchildren, Aric Braley, of Maysel, Briar Braley, of Elkview, Autumn Lehner of Maricopa, Arizona, and 13 grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and friends who loved him dearly.
Donald H. Jarvis was a true American Hero in every sense of the word. He was a mentor to countless individuals. He will be greatly missed.
Funeral Service for Don will be Friday July 5, 2024, at Wilson Smith Funeral Home at 2:00 with a viewing for friends and family from 12 to 2:00, burial will follow at Amma Cemetery.
Wilson Smith is honored to be serving the Jarvis family.
2016
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