James “Jim” Buster Tarver died peacefully at his home in Lynden on Monday, July 30, 2018.
Jim was born Sept. 15, 1926 in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. He was the only child of Paul and Elaine Tarver. At an early age, he moved to Muskogee, Oklahoma, and he was a graduate of Muskogee High School. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served from 1944 to 1946. He went to Northeastern State College in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, where he met his wife, Jean Morris. After graduation there, he taught vocal music for three years. He was then employed by the U.S. Postal Service as a city letter carrier in Muskogee in 1957 until retirement in 1985. He later worked at Citizens National Bank in the mailroom.
He was a member of First United Methodist Church and sang in the choir. He was a member of the Good News Quartet for many years.
Jim is survived by his wife of 69 years, Jean; daughter Kathy and husband Gary Kaiser; grandson Nick and wife Melinda Kaiser; granddaughter Jessica and husband Bjorn Weber; also four great-grandchildren, Michael and Abigail Weber and Jackson and Harper Kaiser.
Interment will be in Memorial Park in Muskogee.
The family extends special thanks to the Whatcom Hospice staff and to Veterans Affairs for all their assistance.
