John Howard Jarvie

September 1, 1924 - December 28, 2020

SAN DIEGO —

John Howard Jarvie passed away peacefully surrounded by his children on December 28, 2020. He was 96.

John was born in Rock Springs, Wyoming, and grew up in Utah.

Too young to work in the mines, he lied about his age to the draft board and used his draft card as proof of age so he could work in the gold mines and then the magnesium mines. He joined the Marine Corps at age 18 to avoid being drafted into the Army.

John fought in the Battle for Kwajalein, the Battle for Eniwetok Atoll, the Battle for Guam, and the Battle for Okinawa in WWII. He later served in Korea, building roads and bridges for an Engineering Battalion. John served in the USMC from March 1942 until October 1963. He retired from the Marine Corps as a Master Sergeant. He went on to work in various ventures, including operating his own businesses, before being employed by the Base Club Systems at Camp Pendleton. At one point, every club on Camp Pendleton had been designed and built by John. He retired from the Base Clubs in the late 1980s.

John never really retired; he was self-employed working in construction and remodeling. In 1994, he was introduced to the Brother Benno Foundation founder, Harold Kutler, to ask for his assistance in a small construction project.

This small project turned into yet another career of service where John volunteered his time working five days a week in construction, repairs, and renovations on the center and the various recovery houses run by the Foundation. In this service, John employed men in the recovery programs, teaching them trades such as carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and so much more.

John never retired from Brother Benno’s; he worked there until late November 2020, when he became ill.

John was preceded in death in 1993 by his beloved wife of 44 years, Billee Mae. John is survived by his children, John F. Jarvie, Jeffrey P. Jarvie, Janet L. Espinosa, and Jo L. Ervin, all of Oceanside; his brotherin-law, Robert Wilson of Mancos, Colorado; as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A memorial service is being delayed until social gatherings are permitted. Please sign the Guest Book online obituaries.sandiegouniontribune.com