Jack Wade Sarver

Jack Wade “Jack” Sarver, Sr., 96, of College Avenue in Bluefield, West Virginia, was called from this life home to Heaven by the Lord in his Grace Thanksgiving morning, November 25, 2021, following an extended illness. Born in Bluefield on April 5,1925, he was a lifelong devoted citizen and friend to all. He was predeceased by his parents, Clyde C. Sarver, Sr., and Besse (Peters) Sarver, wife Janet Suzanne (Massie) Sarver, and daughter-in-law, Deb (Coppinger) Sarver. He graduated from the old Beaver High School, Class of 1943. His business career began in 1945 in sales for Sarver Candy Company, first established by his father in 1927. He became company CEO and treasurer on his 38th birthday in 1963, beginning a dedicated 58-year career of leading the organization to numerous award including being selected as “West Virginia Distributor of the Year” multiple times. Under his leadership, Sarver Candy was one of the prominent suppliers to grocery stores and retail customers across the coal fields of southern West Virginia and southwest Virginia. He often proudly proclaimed, “I never worked a day in my life!” and he loved being known as “The Candy Man.” A life member of Westminster Presbyterian Church and member of the Board of Deacons, Jack earned another nickname – “The Coffee Man”- for his 64 years of faithfully serving coffee and frozen Coca-Colas to the folks each Sunday beginning in 1957 and continuing until ill health forced his “retirement” in October 2021. He delighted the Westminster members in this volunteer role for an amazing 3,000-plus Sundays, a heart-warming testimony of dedication to more than three generations. Multi-talented, he played exhibition tennis matches again top-ranked professionals as well as bowling matches against legendary stars of the past. He refereed major college football games, primarily in the Southern Conference but routinely traveled to officiate “big games” across America. He once held the NCAA record for most career games officiated and was honored by Wake Forest University, which named its’ officials locker room “The Jack W. Sarver Football Official’s Locker Room.” Family and friends know that “The Lord now has Jack exactly where He wants him and where He needs for him to be so he can keep a closer eye on him in that big, blue station wagon.” Survivors include his daughter, Karen Sarver Disibbio, grandchildren Kimberly Comer (Todd), Chris Disibbio (Rhonda), Jeff Disibbio (Holly), Jay Disibbio (Kathy), great-grandchildren Isabella and Dominic Disibbio; son, Jack W. “Pete” Sarver, Jr., grandchildren, Brent Sarver, Brandon Sarver (Aimee), great-grandchildren Will, Reid, and Adelynn Sarver. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday December 3, 2021 at Monte Vista Park Cemetery in Green Valley. Mercer Funeral Home is serving the Sarver family.

Jack Wade Sarver

April 5, 1925 - November 25, 2021