James Randolph Jarvis, 79, passed away peacefully on January 15, 2026. Jim was born in Rainy River, Ontario, to Henry and Helen (Lindberg) Jarvis on June 6, 1946.
As a child he went to the Atwood 1 School near the family farm and later the Hill School by Miller’s Creek. He attended Rainy River High School, where he met and later married his high school sweetheart, Dawn Murray, on August 30, 1966. Following their wedding they travelled to Sault Ste. Marie, where Jim attended an electrician course on their honeymoon! They have been mostly inseparable since.
Jim moved to Atikokan following high school and began a career with Frank Quinn Electric. Dawn joined him there after they were married. They made many happy memories there including the birth of both of their sons. Jim, Dawn and the boys moved back to Rainy River in 1970, where Jim started his own electrical business. They eventually bought and renovated the old Red Cross Hospital on the riverfront and lived there for several years before Jim decided that they belonged in the country.
Jim and Dawn bought some property and built a house a few miles north of town. Jim started farming as a hobby, but soon after “retired” from his electrical business and began farming full time. From that point on, farming was Jim’s life. He worked hard to build his farming legacy and he succeeded. The Jarvis Ranch is now a generational family business and he was so proud of that.
In his younger years, Jim loved playing hockey and baseball. He was the coach of Corrie’s Huskies fastball team in Rainy River. As his sons grew, he would watch and coach their hockey teams. Jim was also an avid sportsman. He enjoyed the outdoors and harvested several trophy bucks with his friends and family.
Jim was above all else, a family man. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. Tractor and quad rides were always provided when the kids were on the farm. Jim’s favourite past time was checking the cows and everyone enjoyed the local history lessons when joining him on a ride.
Jim is survived by his wife Dawn; son James (Georgina); daughter-in-law Dagmar; daughter Georgia (Troy) Kreger; grandchildren Cody (Marlee), Jenna (Damien), Seth (Brooklyn), Jonah, Luke, Olivia (Kenny), Nina and Gus; great-grandchild Everly; brothers Philip, Terry (Ida), Don (Marlene); sisters Dorothy (Dave) Marquis and Rachel (Don) Marquis; brother-in-law Vaughn (Melanie) Murray; sister-in-laws Wendy (Rick) Gubersky and Lisa Armstrong; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Jim is preceded in death by his son Jason; his parents Henry and Helen; parents-in-law George and Peggy Murray; brothers Delmar and Clifford; sister-in-laws Linda and Marlene; brother-in-law Glen Armstrong; nephew Paul; and niece Jill.
A private memorial service and internment will take place in Rainy River at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to Alzheimers Society of Kenora/Rainy River District or the Canadian Cancer Society.
Arrangements entrusted to Northridge Funeral Home Ltd., Emo, Ontario.
