Obituary of Laurence Roy Jarvis

CMSGT Laurence (Larry) R. Jarvis Ret.

Larry passed away on Sunday, September 24, 2023 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was born October 27, 1934 in Orma, West Virginia to Clora M. and Ray S. Jarvis who preceded him in death.

This kind, gentle, hardworking man is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Cynthia Sue Jarvis, two children Jeffery (Rachel) and Jennifer Jarvis, granddaughter Natalie Morris and four stepchildren Linda Tegtmeier (Robert), Anne Green (Cornelius), David McGraw and Stephen McGraw. He is also survived by five grandsons (Ryan, Tyler, Christopher, Caleb, Noah) and three great-granddaughters (Fiona, Roisin, Matilda). Lenny Ortman, a close family friend.

Larry grew up in Akron, Ohio where he joined the Air Force after graduation from Central High School in 1953. He served in the Air Force until his retirement as a Chief Master Sergeant in 1984. His active duty service included assignments to Germany, Southeast Asia, Alaska, and Australia. He also served tours at HQ NORAD, HQ Air Defense Command, HQ Air Force Space Command and Hq 14th Aerospace Force. His assignments included some of the early and emerging space and missile warning programs of the 1960s and 1970s. He was one of the original group of Air Force NCOs assigned to the Space Surveillance and Missile Warning Centers at Ent Air Force Base Co. In 1965 he assisted in the move of these two command and control facilities into the, then new, NORAD Cheyenne Mountain Complex. Larry was the first Air Force Space Command nominee for the position of Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force. Among his service awards were the Bronze Star, two Meritorious Service Medals and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal.

After retirement Larry worked for a number of defense contractors engaged in aerospace and missile defense programs. He retired from Northrop Grumman in 2004. He was an active volunteer in local political organizations, serving as precinct chairman and, on a number of occasions, as a delegate to state and local assemblies. He graduated with honors from Regis University with a degree in Management.

Larry enjoyed playing golf, as well as fishing and hiking in the Colorado mountains with his wife, Sue. An avid Air Force Academy football fan, he rarely missed a Falcon home game.

Larry was harkened to heaven by an army of angels at 6:03 pm, as Sue completed reciting Psalm 23 to him.

Larry will be celebrated, with full military honors, at the Pikes Peak National Veterans Cemetery in Colorado Springs, on Friday October 27, 2023 at 1pm, his birthday.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Wounded Warriors Association.