Richard Jarvis

Richard Dean Jarvis was born May 12, 1944 at Norton County Hospital in Norton, KS. He was the son of George and Ruby Jarvis and spent his young life in Almena, KS where he graduated from Almena Rural High School in 1962. From there Richard pursued his college education and graduated in 1967 from Fort Hays University with a Bachelor of Science in Business. Shortly after college Richard went to work for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. He married Sally Kay Hanner in 1968 and the couple soon settled in Emporia, KS where they began their life as a family. In 1971 Richard lost his left arm to cancer but that never stopped him from pursuing the things he loved. In 1975 Richard's career with the FDIC took him to Hannibal, MO where he worked in their regional field office until 1981. The family was happy to move to the Kansas City area in early 1981 when Richard transferred to the regional headquarters where he spent the remainder of his career until his retirement in 2000.
Richard had many passions in his life. He loved to hunt and fish in his earlier years but turned to sports as a way to push himself and take on new challenges. He loved to run, competing in the 1982 Macy's Kansas City Marathon. He was also an avid squash and racquetball player for many years. He loved to water ski and snow ski and always amazed us with his ability to make the rest of us look like amateurs! But his real passions later in life were golf and his beloved Kansas Jayhawks. He loved to play golf because it challenged him both mentally and physically and he absolutely loved getting out on the golf course. Richard equally loved his trips to Allen Field House and Memorial stadium to watch Kansas Basketball and Football. He witnessed many great moments in KU Basketball history and loved to be a part of something so special.
After Richard was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease he began the fight of his life. His courage to push on was nothing short of amazing. He surrounded himself with his family and showed all of us what real courage was. Richard lived to be a part of all of our lives. He was a constant fixture at all of his grandchildren's events and loved spending time with them. He coached, he cheered and he truly enjoyed watching these young children grow. In 100 degree heat or freezing temperatures, Richard was always there to support his family.
Richard and Sally worked as a team to fight his disease. Sally provided the support and love while Richard worked as hard as he could on maintaining his strength and learning to live with Parkinson's disease. Never once would you see Richard complain about the hand he was dealt. He handled himself with the utmost courage and dignity until the very end. Richard passed away peacefully on December 16th, 2012 at the age of 68. And to the surprise of none, his heart beat strong until the very end. Richard is survived by his wife Sally, his sons Doug and Chris and his 5 grandchildren: Keara, Kaitlyn, Connor, Cody, and Nathan. He is also survived by his brother Gary Jarvis and wife Glenda, father-in-law and mother-in-law Jack and Winnie Hanner and his brother and sister-in-law Dan and Liz Hudson. His spirit was bright, his courage was amazing, his will to fight was strong and his ability to love was endless. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be sent to Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care in Richard's honor.