Mike Tarvin ’74

Serving US troops – in the air and on the ground

For Mike Tarvin ’74, jumping from a military plane or helicopter with other paratroopers and providing spiritual comfort and guidance to soldiers were hallmarks of his more than 30-year career as an Army chaplain.

During his junior year at SHS, Mike was a member of the school’s first cross country team which he led as captain. Mike also ran on the H.S. track team and lettered for three years. He sang in several choirs at Shelby and he continues to sing and run.

After graduating, Mike won an ROTC scholarship to Bowling Green State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree and was commissioned as an Army lieutenant. While serving in the Army, Mike earned a master’s in education from Boston University. 

After finishing his first duty assignment, he studied at Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University where he graduated with honors and received a masters of divinity degree. Mike then returned to active-duty military service as an Army chaplain. Later he was selected to study at the US Army War College earning a master’s of strategic studies and promoted to colonel.

While serving in Iraq, Mike was assigned as the command chaplain of Multi-National Corp-Iraq where he supervised more than 500 religious support team members in combat. Mike served over 30 years in the Army with assignments in Germany, Korea, Fort Bragg, NC, Fort Carson, CO and Fort Hood, TX to name few. In addition to his 15 months in Iraq he also spent time in Afghanistan during combat operations.

Mike completed the U.S. Army’s elite Ranger training and was awarded the Ranger tab. He is also a master parachutist and a parachute jump master as well as being air assault qualified. Mike served in the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, the 325th Airborne Infantry Brigade and 3rd Light Infantry Brigade. He was senior chaplain for the 2nd Infantry Division, command chaplain for the III Armored Corps and command chaplain for the Army’s largest unit, U.S. Army Forces Command. Mike was selected as the Army’s medical command chaplain and worked directly for the surgeon general for his final assignment.

During his service Mike received many prestigious honors, including being named the Army’s UMT of the year. He was awarded six Meritorious Service Medals, two Bronze Stars and the Distinguished Service Medal. He retired as a colonel. 

He authored Light In The Midst of Darkness, Devotions From Combat, a book that relates his experiences as a combat chaplain through inspiring short stories of his fellow soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines. Observes an alumnus, “Serving and leading came naturally to Mike and countless soldiers benefitted.”

After retiring from the Army, Mike worked for Tyson Foods Inc. as their director of chaplain services. Most recently Mike served as director of spiritual care and values integration for a large hospital system in Houston and provided essential care during the COVID pandemic.

Mike is also working on the bond planning committee for Conroe ISD, the 60th largest school district in the country. He is a board-certified chaplain with the Association of Professional Chaplains, and he is also a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.  Mike has been married to his wife Amy for over 40 years. They have two daughters, Rachel and Rebekah. One of Mike’s greatest joys is hanging out with his three grandsons, T.J., Cole and Luke and is the primary reason he resides in Houston.