Gordon Edward Jarvis

Longtime Kelso, Wash., resident Gordon Jarvis, 86, passed away at home Jan. 13, 2024.

He was born Sept. 1, 1937, in Rector, Ark., to George and Blanche (Gordon) Jarvis. The family of nine moved to Salmon Creek, Wash., in 1942. Gordon graduated from La Center High School in 1955. After graduation he joined the Army and served from 1955 to 1957, and then the reserves until 1961.

Gordon met his wife-to-be Belva Kyle in 1958 while working at Nabisco in Portland, Ore. They were married March 21, 1959, in Salmon Creek.

In 1970 he moved his wife and son Mark from Dollars Corner, Wash., to Kelso. He opened a branch of Cummins NW in Longview, Wash. After years of running other businesses and selling trucks, he decided to open his own business. In 1983 he started Jarvis Truck Sales in Kelso. In 1989 he bought property and moved the company to Toledo, Wash., off exit 57, where it remained until 2014.

Gordon loved his career and made numerous friends through his business, and enjoyed spending time with all of them. He loved helping people and attending his grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s sporting events and school activities. Gordon was extremely proud of his yard and roses which he spent much time keeping up. Among his favorite activities was going to Gee Cee’s Truck Stop and having breakfast with his friends a.k.a. “The Boys.”

Gordon was preceded in death by a daughter, Lori Lee; his parents, George and Blanche Jarvis; three brothers, Bufford, G.C. and Charles; and two sisters, Ola and Opal.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Belva Jarvis of Kelso; a son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Jane Jarvis of Toledo; a sister, Marylee Hand of Castle Rock, Wash.; four grandchildren and their spouses, Janell and Auggie Garcia of Kelso, Kandis and Memo Jiminez of Olympia, Jana Ranney of Dallas, Ore., and Jason and Amber Ranney of Toledo; eight great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and their families.

A celebration of Gordon’s life will be announced at a later date.

Final arrangements have been entrusted to Steele Chapel at Longview Memorial Park & Crematory.