James R. "Jim" Jarvis

James R. (Jim) Jarvis, age 85 of Gravette, Arkansas, passed away on March 7, 2026, at the Highlands Nursing Home. Born on December 25, 1940, in Garden City, Kansas, to Clarence and Maxine Jarvis, Jim moved with his family to Hiwasse, Arkansas, at the age of 12. He attended grade school in Hiwasse and graduated from Gravette High School. On December 23, 1960, he married his high school sweetheart, Earlene Terhune.

Jim was a devoted father who coached his children’s baseball, softball, and basketball teams and instilled in them the values of responsibility, hard work, and pride in a job well done. He shared a deep love for the outdoors, particularly elk hunting, which began as an annual tradition with his brother Kenny in 1979 and later included his sons, remaining a cherished highlight of their years together through 1998. Jim also took great pride in his agricultural achievements, growing high-quality Bermuda grass that earned him recognition in the Benton County forage program and national competitions, including Rookie of the Year in 2005 and third place overall in the American Forage and Grassland Council in 2007. He found joy in crappie fishing, gardening, hunting morel mushrooms, and searching for arrowheads.

A lifelong farmer who raised chickens for 29 years, Jim also co-owned a construction company with his brother Kenny until Kenny’s death in 2013. He later enjoyed working for Ron Duncan until a stroke slowed him down.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Maxine Jarvis, his brother Kenny Jarvis, and Kenny’s daughter-in-law Lisa Jarvis. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Earlene Jarvis; his daughter, Susan Sherman (Bob) of Bentonville; his sons, Jimmy Jarvis (Rhonda) of Hiwasse, Ron Jarvis of Gravette, and Mike Jarvis (Dusty) of Sulphur Springs; seven grandchildren, Jeris Jarvis (Becky) of Hiwasse, Taylor Jarvis of Gravette, Tyler Jarvis (Michelle) of Gravette, Christi Cozzaglio (Michael) of Centerton, Kenny Sherman of Centerton, Mikya and Temple Terhune of Gravette; and seven great-grandchildren, Berkley, Braylee, Wyatt, Raylan, Luke, Hailey, and Madison.