Eugene Orville Jarman

Eugene Orville Jarman, a loving father, dedicated attorney, and proud veteran, passed away peacefully on January 2, 2026, at the age of 91. He was born on October 25, 1934, in Hastings, Michigan. His life was marked by a commitment to public service, a passion for travel, and a deep love for his family.

Early Life and Education

Eugene was the fifth child of Eris and Georgia Ballou Jarman and was raised in Hastings, Michigan, alongside his three sisters, Elaine, Maxine, and Eleanor, and his brother Duane. He often spoke fondly of his childhood, spent in the close care of his mother and siblings on land owned by his maternal grandmother, Lenore. Eugene was a dedicated student and athlete, serving as the manager of his high school football team and playing the trumpet in the school band. He also held early jobs delivering newspapers and working at the local grocery store, where he learned skills like stocking shelves and butchering beef.

After graduating from high school, Eugene enlisted in the U.S. Navy at 17 with his father's permission. He served on active duty for 3.5 years, completing a 6-year term in the reserves. His service included boot camp in San Diego and electronics school in Tennessee, where he became an electronics technician. He served in a flying capacity, making 54 takeoffs from the aircraft carrier Yorktown and 53 successful landings; the other landing was an unplanned water landing on his very first takeoff.

Upon his discharge, he began his college career at North Texas Teachers College before transferring to the University of Texas (UT) in Austin, where he earned a degree in Business Administration in 1954 and a law degree in 1956.

Career and Public Service

Eugene’s distinguished legal career began with a role at the Comptroller of Public Accounts, followed by a tenure as the tax advisor to Governor Preston Smith. He was most proud of his work during this time, advising the governor on the sales tax and helping to prevent the passage of a state income tax in Texas.

He later opened his own practice as a tax and real estate attorney, a field he loved. He wrote over 300 wills and was known for helping his clients navigate complex tax law, including representing them at the IRS.

Family and Personal Life

Eugene was devoted to his family. He met his wife, Barbara Jean Smith, in a Sunday school class in Dallas, and they were married in Little Rock, Arkansas. Together, they raised three children: Mark Orville Jarman, Stephen Jay Jarman, and Mei Beth Shepherd. He considered raising his children and bringing them up as Christians among the happiest times of his life, and one of his proudest moments was seeing them become successful members of society. He also cherished his time as a Boy Scout leader for his son.

His adventurous spirit led him and Barbara on many memorable trips, including canoeing the Buffalo River in Arkansas and traveling to South America, where they visited Machu Picchu twice. He was also a talented craftsman, having built a 17-foot redwood canoe and a unique camping trailer with fold-down sides.

Eugene is survived by his three children, two grandchildren, Kelsey DeGhelder (nee Jarman) and Megan Montgomery (nee Shepherd), and three great-grandchildren. He will be remembered for his strength, his dedication, and the rich life he lived.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Northwest Hills United Methodist Church in Austin.