John Russell Sarvis

John Russell Sarvis, known as Rusty or Russ to friends and family, was born and raised in Loris, SC on August 11, 1951 to his parents, John Earl and Bernice Soles Sarvis. Rusty grew up farming with his family learning hard work, hard lessons, a deep love and practical purpose of animals and the land, a love of fishing, to love and respect God, and many life lessons from vast extended family he loved dearly. In school, he discovered his favorite class was shop class where he enjoyed exercising problem-solving skills and problem making experiments with various practical jokes and shenanigans. He graduated from Tabor City High School, Tabor City, NC, in 1969 then went to work for M. B. Kahn Construction Co., Inc. out of Columbia, SC. In 1985, he went to work for Fitts & Goodwin Construction Co., Inc. and in 1987 moved to Gilbert where he met his wife and daughter, Gray and Miki. He loved living on the lake and fishing. Rusty worked for Fitts & Goodwin until May 2021 and retired as a superintendent after a 53-year career in construction. His bosses and coworkers are family. During his free time, he enjoyed his memberships in local bass fishing clubs, fishing in various tournaments and falling in love all over again when his three grandchildren were born. They ruled his world, and he welcomed their joy. Rusty was a devoted son, husband, father, friend, mentor, uncle, and grandfather who will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Rusty is survived by his wife, Grayson; his daughter, Miki Keisler (Brian); granddaughters, Loralei and Isabella Keisler; grandson, Maddox Keisler; sister, Frances Johnson (Kenny); mother-in-law, Helen Team; sisters-in-law, Helen Vickery (Kent), Andrea Harrison (Thom); brothers-in-law, Benjamin Leslie Team, III (Paula), Steve Team (Jean Anne), Karl Team; nephews, Ross Sons, Andrew Harrison, Patrick Harrison, Benjamin Leslie Team, IV, Scott Team, Karl Team, Jr., Adam Team, Alex Team, Ryan Team; nieces, Virginia Wright (Joe), Stacey Scott (Robert).

Rusty is predeceased by his parents, John Earl and Bernice Soles Sarvis; his sister, Gayle Sarvis; his father-in-law, Benjamin Leslie Team, Jr.; his brother-in-law, David Michael Sons.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 9, 2023 at Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church with interment to follow at Woodridge Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 8 at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.caughmanlexington.com for the Sarvis family.