June 4, 1984 to March 29th, 2021

One of the kindest souls to ever walk this earth returned to a loving Heavenly Father on March 29, 2021, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, after a hard-fought battle against an entity that has forever changed our lives. He fought so hard knowing that every breath was precious. He lived in faith and died knowing that he would be with his family again in a perfect body.

Donald, a true ‘lighthouse on a coast’, was born June 4th, 1984 to the late Bruce and Ann Jarvies in Manassa, Colorado. He joined an already full house with 9 older brothers and sisters, Kirk (Shannon), Clinton, Mitchell (Kristi), Natalie (Jim Paine), Callie (Dave Jensen), Rachel (Glenn Barr), Jessie (Tanner Bagwell) Andrew (Amber), April (Adam Robins), and is survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Surviving on skittles and gasoline, Donald spent most of his childhood time playing, working, and learning the trade at his Grandpa’s gas station, Donald’s Service. He was proud of the station and would often grab people by the hand and walk them outside and show them the name and say, “my station”. Even as a child, Donald never shied away from a hard day’s work or honest discussion.

The teenage years for Donald were fun and exciting. His mom describes him as fun and full of life. Everyone knew Donalds’ name, from the ward shut-ins to the young ladies to the town cop. Everyone knew and loved Donald.

He graduated from Centauri High School in 2003 and left Manassa to serve in the Raleigh North Carolina Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Donald loved the gospel of Jesus Christ and he loved sharing it with the wonderful people of North Carolina. He served closely with his Mission President as an assistant and cherished his time as he “thrusteth in his sickle with his might”. His “go and do” attitude persisted while serving as ward mission leader, ward executive secretary, and finally as Elder’s Quorum president until his passing.

After his mission, he returned home to work with his family at the gas station. He continued in faith as he fought to sweep the love of his life, Ashley Dunn, off her feet. A friend recalls, Donald always had his eyes on eternity and he knew the Plan of Salvation and knew that Ashley was to be his eternal companion. They were sealed for time and all eternity in the Denver Colorado Temple on March 11, 2006.

Donald and Ashley’s marriage was truly a storybook romance and they were forevermore inseparable. The foundation they laid together permitted the arrival of several selected individuals to join their family on earth.

First, Alexis (13). “Tiny” as Donald called her. Alyvia (11), Donald’s tomboy,  Somre (9) who carries Donald’s sweet smile, Hadlei (7) who will be a big help as the “Megaparent”, Bruce Maddox (4) who shares Donald’s love for the outdoors, and Jimmy Merrik (2) who will have no problem trying to fill Donalds’s shoes as he is his spitting image.

Throughout Donald’s life, he has experienced several trials. He broke his leg twice as a child, suffered major burns in an incident involving a blow torch, and later developed an auto-immune illness that tried to take his life. His family is so grateful that the Lord didn’t take him then and allowed them seven more years together which included the birth of their little boys.  No one ever suffered more with as big a smile on their face as Donald carried with him through his trials.

Donald was many things. He was a minister, an amazing special education teacher, husband, father, and best friend. He was what you needed, when you needed it. His love for all led him to a career in special education, most recently at Manassa Elementary where he lifted spirits of his kids, colleagues, and anyone who came in contact with him.  He will be dearly missed by all.

We will have a funeral service April 2, 2021, in Manassa, Colorado at the Manassa Colorado Stake Center at 11 am. A viewing will be held Thursday, April 1, at 6 pm in the same location. We invite all to come and learn more about Donald’s eternal perspective and how he knew without a doubt that we will all be together again.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the John Zay Guest House in Colorado Springs or to Manassa Elementary.  To express condolences, please visit www.rogersfunerals.com

Rogers Family Mortuary in Alamosa is in care of the arrangements.