DEACON DONALD EUGENE TARVER

Deacon Donald Eugene Tarver was called home to heaven on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at age 92.
On December 31, 1932, Don Tarver was born in Canton, Ohio to the late Fort and Mary Tarver.

Deacon Tarver accepted Christ at an early age and received his early religious instruction at Shiloh
Missionary Baptist Church. As a longtime devoted member of Union Baptist Church, Deacon Don
Tarver served as Treasurer, Sunday School Teacher, Bible Study Teacher, Men’s Choir Member, and
Deacon Board Member (Past President). He conducted pastoral outreach to church members at
hospitals, nursing facilities, and to those shut-in at home.

Don Tarver graduated from Canton McKinley High School where he was active in the Drama Club as
well as a member of The Class of 1950 Reunion Committee. He attended the Ohio State University
where he pledged Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. In later years, he was active in the Canton/Akron
Chapters.

He built a successful career at The Canton Malleable Iron Company rising to Personnel Manager, and
Foundry Supervisor of Quality/Manager of Process and Product. He was a past Chairman of the
Canton Chapter of The American Foundry Society.

Don Tarver was an avid sportsman who enjoyed bowling, fishing, swimming, camping, croquet, Jarts,
and kite flying. Also, he was a fan of all kinds of sports but principally the McKinley Bulldogs, the Ohio
State Buckeyes, the Cleveland Browns, Cavaliers, and Guardians. He played chess and was, an
impassioned card player of Bid Whist (”Somebody’s lyin’, and somebody’s falsifyin’!”), and euchre. In
addition, he contributed to his community through participation in Junior Achievement, the Pinewood
Derby, and the Fishing Derby.

He was a Canton Board of Building Appeals Member, an elected Precinct Executive in Ward 2, a
Metropolitan Democratic Club Member, a patron of The Canton Players Guild.
During summertime holidays he famously charcoal-grilled bountiful slabs of tender, tangy barbecue
ribs. On Halloween he delighted in frightening trick-or-treaters off of the front porch while dressed as a
ghoul. Although he was particularly fond of his wife Eva’s homemade ice cream, his latter day favorite
was Taggarts’ Ice Cream’s “Bittner” sundae.

Deacon Donald Tarver is survived by his sister, Marian (Tarver) Fisk; brother, Bernard Tarver; his
children, Marian Stocker, Donald E. Tarver II, M.D., Monica (Andrew Kochanowski) Tarver, David (Gail
Allen) Tarver; grandchildren, Eva Roberson, Essie Tarver, Jasmine Tarver; and, step grandchildren
Melissa Stocker, Avery Lee. Additionally, Don Tarver is mourned by numerous dear relatives, church
members, and friends.

He was preceded by his wife Eva (Elliott) Tarver; his brothers Milton G. Tarver, MD and Fort Tarver;
his eldest daughter Michaele Laverne Tarver, JD; and his son-in-law Gary Stocker.
His earthly remains will be entombed within The Mausoleum of Forest Hill Cemetery beside those of his
beloved wife of 57 years, Eva “Shug” (Elliott) Tarver.

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