Jerry Jarvis

Nov 9, 1938 -

Jan 9, 2020

A beloved father and husband passed away Jan. 9, 2020, after a more than 13-year battle with an unusual disease, PSP (Supranuclear Palsy) a degenerative disease that destroys the motor skills. Jerry was born in Sherman, Texas, on Nov. 9, 1938, and spent most of his childhood at an orphanage in Waco, Texas, after his father died when he was a toddler. As a teenager, he and his three siblings he moved to Alaska with their mother and stepfather. He excelled at football and track, setting many records in both, some that stood for several years.

He graduated Anchorage High School - now West High - in the class of 1958. He married his high school sweetheart Sharon Burns and went to work for the National Guard where he served for 25 years. They had two boys Todd and Troy, who were also active in sports during and after high school. Jerry coached and mentored a "never quit" attitude and always gave 110% effort that inspired so many he coached beyond sports and into their lives. Jerry was not only an avid athlete and coach, he was a multi-year auto ice race champion.

He met his second wife, Joyce Bigelow romantically on New Year's Eve in 1976. In 1988, they moved to Ferndale, Wash., where he worked for the city of Bellingham and the Ferndale school district for several years before retiring. They then traveled south during the winters to Arizona for a number of years until 2011, when they were forced to forgo travel south because of the severity of his disease. Jerry fought the good fight for over 5 years at their home in Ferndale until he finally entered a care facility in 2016, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was and exemplary patient, always helping his caregivers to the best of his ability, which because of his habit of exercising and keeping in good shape in previous years, kept him strong.

He leaves his loving wife, Joyce Bigelow in Ferndale; his beloved sons, Todd and Troy and their wives Diane and Cecilia in Anchorage, Alaska; stepson, Weston Bigelow of Oregon; stepdaughter, Cynthia Bigelow of Washington; 10 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; sisters, Genevia Hendricks of Anchorage and Ginger Sandwina and her husband Ron of Las Vegas, Nev.; brother, Robert and his wife Gloria of Merritt Island, Fla.; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Sharon Hughes; and stepson, Charles Bigelow. He will be forever missed and remembered by all who knew him. We look forward to our reunion in heaven!

There will be a celebration of life in at Fox Hollow Chalet, 11701 Brayton Dr. Anchorage, AK 99516, on May 15, 2020, from 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers please donate to The Boys and Girls club of Alaska at bgcalaska.org/about/donate/.