Gene Jarvis

Asheville Joseph Eugene Gene Jarvis, 84, of 16 Waverly Road, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, October 7, 2015 at the John F. Keever, Jr. Solace Center. A native of Buncombe County, he attended St. Bernard College in Cullman, AL, as well as Mars Hill College. During his school summers, he was the Program Director for Blue Ridge Assembly. He joined the Asheville Police Department in the early 1960s and initially worked in the Juvenile Department. He was promoted from Sergeant to Assistant Chief in 1965. During his tenure at the Police Department, he completed many courses of study related to Criminal Justice, including schools at Yale, Rutgers, University of Minnesota, UNC-CH and University of Georgia. Mr. Jarvis was selected to attend and graduated from the F.B.I. National Academy in 1965. As a result of this educational initiatives and his extensive training, Mr. Jarvis taught multiple courses for law enforcement work, and was also active with the American Red Cross, becoming a Water Safety Instructor, Small Craft Instructor and Disaster Response Member. During his APD service, Mr. Jarvis was instrumental in starting the Fraternal Order of Police Day Camp in the summer. Hundreds of young Asheville teenagers were treated in the summers to fun activities, food and direction. Following his 20 plus year tenure with the Asheville Police Department, Mr. Jarvis was hired to work in Saudi Arabia as a Project Manager in the development of an industrial city. His responsibilities included police, fire, safety and traffic development. After this completion, Mr. Jarvis worked as the Chief of Public Services in Lake Lure. His last post in Law Enforcement was with the Buncombe County Sheriffs Department. He retired in 2006. Mr. Jarvis was serious and firm until you knew him his humor, compassion and absolute dedication to family, church and to the citizens of Western North Carolina were the driving factor for him. He spoke often of his pride and joy his family. All of us will miss you terribly. We love you Bop-Bop. He was a long time member of First Christian Church, a Bible Scholar, Board Chair, Deacon, Teacher, Elder Emeritus and active in Christmount Assembly Grounds. Mr. Jarvis was the son of the late Judge Hubert C. Jarvis and Sophronia Belle Hill Jarvis and husband of Jean Andrews Jarvis who died May 8, 2004. Surviving are children, Holly McTaggart and Kristie King (Jim) all of Asheville; grandchildren, Zachary and Matthew of Asheville; Jacob (Nikki) of Clayton, NC; Adam of Travis Air Force Base, Fairfield, CA; multiple nieces and nephews, including three local nieces, Libby Jones, Cathy Barnhardt and Patty Long. Memorial services will be held at 2 PM Sunday, October 11, 2015 in the chapel of Anders-Rice Funeral Home with Rev. Melba Banks officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following services at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Christmount Christian Assembly, 222 Fern Way, Black Mountain, NC 28711. A Video Tribute will be available for a limited time. Click Here