Ted A. Jarvais' Obituary
Ted Jarvais, age 51 quietly passed away at his home in Annapolis, MD, with his loving wife and daughters by his side on Monday, August 13th.
Ted was born on February 16, 1961, to Roger and Glenda (Thompson) Jarvais, who preceded him in death. He is survived by his four siblings, Becky (Pete) Kunnanz of Bear Creek, WI; Cindy (Denny Christian) Jarvais of Stephensville, WI; Duane (Moni) Jarvais of Bear Creek, WI, and Jody (Kristi) Jarvais of Centralia, IL. Together with his siblings Ted grew up chasing pigs and making mischief. In middle and high school he wrestled and played football, helping his team to state championships, and earning himself the nickname, Animal.
After his 1979 graduation from Clintonville High, Ted enlisted in the Marine Corps and on July 28, 1984, married the love of his life, Tamela Wood of Fairfield, OH, who recognized him as the most loving and generous man in the world. Together they raised two daughters, Elizabeth and Stephanie, who saw their father as a superhero, a pirate, and a big huge goofball. He retired from the Marine Corps in 2000 and began a second career as a high school math teacher at Beloit Memorial High School in WI, where his students knew him as Mr. Jarvais, the silly-tie wearing teacher with a passion for flying, and his colleagues knew him for his drawer full of Little Debbies and funny, generous friendship.
In 2008 he was diagnosed with RCC-Renal Cell Carcinoma, or as his friends and family called it, Really Crappy Cancer. As Marines are known to do, he put up a good fight, and put the cancer in its place while he continued to enjoy volunteering with Lutheran Vanguard of Wisconsin marching band, serving the Lord through his church involvement, traveling the world with his wife, and spending time with his many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, godchildren, and friends, all the while willing to crack a joke or eat a cookie.
As Ted always tried to make things easy for others, he arranged for a small, informal viewing at Lasting Tributes in Annapolis, MD, followed by a brief service at the Crownsville State Veterans Cemetery in Crownsville, MD. Viewing will take place from 10-11 on Thursday, August 16 with the service to follow in Crownsville at 11:30 AM. Because of his giving nature, he asked that in lieu of flowers (which his wife and daughters are allergic to), you give a gift of your time to others, or send a gift to a military support organization or Lutheran Vanguard of WI, which is housed at Fox Valley Lutheran High School in Appleton, WI.
What’s your fondest memory of Ted ?
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Share a story where Ted 's kindness touched your heart.
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