James H. Jarvis II was born in Knoxville, Tennessee on February 28, 1937. He received an undergraduate degree from the University of Tennessee in 1958. He received his law degree from the University of Tennessee in 1960. He was in private practice from 1960 until 1978. Jarvis died in Knoxville on June 6, 2007.
Jarvis was a judge in Blount County from 1972 until 1984. President Reagan nominated Jarvis for the federal judiciary on September 6, 1984. He was confirmed for the seat on October 11, 1984. He was chief judge from 1991 until 1998. Jarvis assumed senior status in 2002.
Jarvis’ papers are housed in approximately 32 linear feet of boxes. The collection is currently unprocessed and closed to the public.