Obituaries: John Coleman Tarver, Sabine Parish T-616 Source: Sabine Index, Many, La., Nov 6, 1975 Submitted by: Carl Dilbeck carlrad@earthlink.net ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** John Coleman Tarver (Photo) Former Many Mayor, John Coleman Tarver, succumbed at Fraser Hospital at 8:?? a.m., Sunday, Nov. 2, following an extended illness. Known to local citizens as "Mr. John", he served as the town's mayor during the 1960's. Elected to the City Council in 1957, Mr. Tarver was appointed Mayor by Gov. Jimmy Davis in 1960, when Mayor Alton Horn expired. A portion of Mr. Tarver's Personality of the Week in Oct. 1974, describes his term as mayor. "Those years from 1960 until his term was out in 1965 were busy ones for Mr. John, as well as his hard working council. Many and the parish were experiencing prosperity, and were progressing and expanding rapidly. Being Mayor was a time consuming, hard job. "I had a good crew," he beamed. "We had the best council I have ever seen." Council members during Mr. Tarver's term of office were the late John Warren, Raymond Barnhill, W. E. Lafitte, Truman Nichols, and John L. McDonald. "They were wonderful," he praised. "They really did their part of the work. There was no question about us working well together," he continued. "Our City Marshal was George R. Cook, and we all had a good working relationship." In 1962, there were 265 producing wells in the Many-Pendleton Field, producing an estimated 300,000 barrels per month, 3,000 ft. of runway was constructed at Hart Airport, a Federal Housing Project completed, a new shopping center built, the Sabine Parish Library built, Many Hospital was constructed, and Fraser's Hospital was expanded. The Hodges Garden Motel and Restaurant was constructed, and K.W.L.A. went on the air during Mr. Tarver's administration. "Many was really growing up," he added. "By 1965, Many got a new gymnasium and auditorium, nearly 100 new homes, and many businesses had been built," he continued. "In 1964, the town sold a half million dollars in bonds to finance new water wells, water lines, and meters, and a 100,000 gallon elevated water storage tank. Oxidation ponds were installed, and sewer lines extended with more lift stations. All the streets were resurfaced." "in June 1964, ground breaking ceremonies were held at the Vancouver Plywood Mill," Mr. Tarver added. "There was a concerted effort on the part of all the civic-minded people in the parish to raise money enough to get Toledo Bend Dam, and to convince the state to vote 'Yes' to the amendment." Mr. Tarver's term as Mayor was productive, and turned out to be a job well done, as Many kept growing. John Tarver helped put Many on the map. During those years, Mr. Tarver was a member of the Lions Club, Chairman of the Council on Aging, a member of the Sabine Parish Farm Bureau, on the Board of Directors of the Sabine Parish Chamber of Commerce, and Vice President of the Chamber in 1966, Chairman of the Reservoir Assistance Committee, on the Board of Toledo Bend Dam Association, a member of Cenla Mayor's Council, and vice president of that group in 1964, and President of the Sabine Parish Oil Marketeers. In 1961, Mr. Tarver was appointed Gulf Distributor for the parish. He had been the Gulf dealer for 25 years prior to the appointment. Due to ill health, Tarver turned the business over to his son several years ago. A former Depot Agent, Telegrapher for the Santa Fe Railroad in Missouri and Oklahoma, Tarver opened Tarver's Grocery in 1938 in Many. He ran the store for many years. Born on Aug. 17, 1903, in Natchitoches, the son of (the late) Job and Eufamie Weldon Tarver, he was one of seven children. Mr. Tarver was educated at the Old Shiloh School, the Kisatchie School, and Peason High School. At Kisatchie, Mr. Tarver, who stood 6'8" tall, was known for his excellence on the basketball court. Following high school, Tarver attended Chillicothe Business College, and learned telegraphy. Mr. Tarver was a member of the Many First United Methodist Church, where he had served on the Board of Stewards. Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Thelma M. Tarver; one son, Michael Tarver, both of Many; a daughter, Mrs. Wayne C. (Jody) Dew of Natchitoches; one sister, Lizzie Jackson of Simpson; two brothers, Luther Tarver of Natchitoches, and A. L. Tarver of Many; and three grandchildren. Funeral services were held at the Many First United Methodist Church on Monday, Nov. 3, at 2 p.m. The Rev. W. V. Sirman, and the Rev. Bill Bengston officiated. Burial was in the Ft. Jesup Cemetery, under the direction of the Warren Meadows Funeral Home. Pallbearers were W. R. Miller, Raymond Barnhill, Bill Creed, T. M. Phillips, Alfice Brumley, W. E. Lafitte, Walker R. Alford, and Truman Nichols.