Mr. Folsom High leaves behind a storied legacy

Goodbye, Mr. Folsom High.Bob Jarman held out for the first day of school before saying farewell. The popular educator passed away Monday morning at age 56 following a lengthy battle with cancer.A service for Jarman will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Friday at Sunrise Community Church, 8321 Greenback Lane in Fair Oaks.Jarman began his 33-year FHS career as a drafting teacher before making the switch to student activities director, the position that earned him a permanent place in the hearts of Folsom students.For Jarman, all roads pointed to FHS, said his son Adam Jarman."He basically spent his whole career there," Adam Jarman said. "He was involved in everything the kids loved about Folsom High - rallies, dances, sports."Along with school activities, Jarman also led student groups like the Student Advisory Association and student government. He even walked his own bulldog Duke - the breed was not a coincidence - to school on mornings."He was a good mentor for his students," daughter Tania Docarmo recalled. "A lot of my friends still tell me he made a difference in their lives by teaching about leadership - how to live your life with integrity."Some kids might think its weird going to school with their dad, but Docamo said she embraced the experience."I was in student council with him, and we were pretty close," she said. "It was neat to have that kind of school support but also a personal relationship."Despite his health woes, Jarman refused to stay home, spending his last working months developing plans for new high school Vista del Lago, which opened Monday. Just before he retired in February, Jarman wrote, "I would rather come to school and feel good, than stay at home and feel bad."Wade Morris, president of the 2007 senior class, remembers his former teacher's passion and dedication."He was at school from morning to dark," Morris said. "It was like he never left, even when he was getting sick. I walked into the student government room once to find him sleeping on the couch. He was so tired, but he stayed on for the kids."He never missed a FHS graduation, either, leading new graduates down the aisle by golf cart this spring."The fact that he was honored at the graduation and led out the graduates will always remain in the minds of the class of 2007," FHS Principal Paul Richards said.Richards said he is currently working with a renowned figure artist to cast a life-size bronze figure cast of Jarman's bulldog, Duke, complete with a plaque and banner honoring the well-loved teacher. Though the memorial will be pricey, Richards is confident he can raise the funds. "It (the mascot statue) is something Bob talked about on several occasions, but I think he was too distracted to make it happen. Like all of us, he figured he had enough time to do it another time. But time ran out, and now I'd like to fulfill Bob's dream."To make a donation to the Bob Jarman Memorial and Scholarship Fund, send a check addressed to Folsom High School, care of Paul Richards, to 25015 Blue Ravine Rd., Folsom, CA 95630.Jarman is survived by his wife, Joan Jarman, 52, and his children, Erin, 29, Adam, 27, Tania, 23, and Allexa, 16. Each of his children has attended Folsom High School.