Michael Terry Jarvis was born May 24, 1940, in Minot, ND. His parents were Mildred Lillethun Jarvis and Melvin Peter Jarvis. When Michael was a toddler the family moved to Fargo, ND. It was there Mike attended school from first grade through college. He graduated from NDSU with a degree in Industrial Engineering.

Following college graduation, Michael was employed by Boeing as a technical recruiter working in Detroit and New York. He returned to the Midwest and began a long career with Control Data followed by other moves within the human resources field, including starting and running his own consulting organization.

Mike is survived by his wife, Marguerite Mode-Jarvis, and daughters Julie Silverman (Mark Silverman), Suzanne Jarvis, Nicole Jarvis and Alison Jarvis (Aaron Finke). Brayden Scherbing, Tyler Scherbing, Kelsey Silverman and Charlotte Finke-Jarvis are beloved grandchildren. Marcelyn and Lowell McCalla (in-laws) as well as nieces, nephews and cousins also mourn his passing.

Mike had red hair, an impish grin, a stubborn streak, a dry sense of humor, a love of learning, and a sense of adventure. He was never boring.

Mike loved to travel, and together he and Marguerite watched the dervishes twirl in Turkey, rode camels in the Australian Outback, bird watched in the Arctic Ocean, photographed wildlife in Africa, and shot rapids in Alaska. Travels also included multi-week car trips following the blue highways across America.

Mike enjoyed an elegant meal but also a roadside picnic. He appreciated the Impressionists but also the intricate graffiti of street artists. He read Ray Bradbury as well as Robert Frost. His interests included stamp collecting, photography, astronomy, World War II history, and jazz. His record collection was extensive, numbering over a thousand. In these later years, Mike anticipated seeing the beauty of the Arboretum, admired the variation of clouds, watched many PBS programs, and discussed Gopher basketball with his friend, Hank Bendixen, as they played cribbage and ate sweet treats.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the University of Minnesota Arboretum or TPT–Twin Cities PBS and are appreciated.