225th Engineers remember comrade

By 1st Lt. Janeene Yarber, 46th ECB (H) PAO, 225 Eng. Bde.July 15, 2009

BAGHDAD - 34 year-old Chief Warrant Officer 2 Rodney Jarvis, a native of Akron, Ohio, died suddenly July 13 from a medical condition on Camp Liberty, Iraq.  Jarvis, a 15-year Army veteran, owned and operated a family convenient store with his wife Fa...
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – BAGHDAD - 34 year-old Chief Warrant Officer 2 Rodney Jarvis, a native of Akron, Ohio, died suddenly July 13 from a medical condition on Camp Liberty, Iraq. Jarvis, a 15-year Army veteran, owned and operated a family convenient store with his wife Fa... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
BAGHDAD - Chief Warrant Officer 2 Rodney Jarvis, a native of Akron, Ohio, 46th Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy), 225th Eng. Brigade, enjoyed the outdoors and loved to fish and hunt.  He was able to continue his hobby while deployed to Iraq and broug...
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – BAGHDAD - Chief Warrant Officer 2 Rodney Jarvis, a native of Akron, Ohio, 46th Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy), 225th Eng. Brigade, enjoyed the outdoors and loved to fish and hunt. He was able to continue his hobby while deployed to Iraq and broug... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

BAGHDAD - Preparations are underway for a memorial ceremony in Baghdad, as Soldiers of the 46th Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy), 225th Eng. Brigade, cope with the sudden death of one of their own.

34 year-old Chief Warrant Officer 2 Rodney Jarvis, a native of Akron, Ohio, died suddenly July 13 from a medical condition.

Nearly complete with his fourth deployment, Jarvis was serving as the property book officer for the "Steel Spike" team, based out of Fort Polk, La., Fort Rucker, Ala., and San Antonio, and was overseeing the battalion's redeployment back to the states in less than seven weeks. The job was nothing new to Chief Jarvis who deployed once before with the 46th Engineers in 2005 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 05-07, serving in the same battalion position.

"Everything I know about supply I've learned from chief," stated Capt. Kelly Boone, logistics officer-in-charge, close friend to Jarvis, and a native of Holland, Pa. "He had a way of quoting things from the 'Book of Chief' and sometimes he would just make stuff up. It was hilarious."

Jarvis enjoyed the outdoors and his hobbies included hunting and fishing; he even had numerous fishing poles in his office that he put to use with Soldiers.

"Fishing in Iraq was one thing Chief talked about wanting to do," stated Sean Shands, logistics noncommissioned officer-in-charge, and a native of San Diego. "When we got the chance to do some fishing, he was all over it. It was a chance to relax and put away all work related issues."

According to Shands, Chief Jarvis once said, "I don't care if I don't catch anything, as long as I'm fishing, I'm happy."

"All of us enjoyed his company; the laughs, and the bonding," added Shands. "It didn't matter if we caught anything or not, just hanging out was the best."

Although his fellow Soldiers are grieving and missing their friend, mentor, and comrade, all of their thoughts, concerns and prayers go to Chief Jarvis' family. Known for being a family man, Jarvis always made sure his family came first.

Jarvis is survived by his wife Fashion and two daughters Heather and Kourtnie.

His awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army

Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Army Achievement Medal with two

Oak Leaf Clusters.

The memorial ceremony for Jarvis will be held later this week on Camp Liberty and funeral arraignments are pending in Louisiana.