James William Jarrett

James William Jarrett, who left this earth to be with our Lord on January 6, 2009, was born July 28, 1925 in Fishing Creek, Maryland to Leila L. Travers Jarrett. He attended schools in Dorchester County and at the age of 16 went to work for the Democrat News until enlisting in the U.S. Army on October 26, 1943.

James "Jim" landed on Utah Beach on D-Day, the Normandy Invasion on June 6, 1944 with the 357 ^th Regiment Co. I 90 ^th Division. He was promoted to Sgt. on the front line at the age of 18. On June 19, 1944, he was wounded and spent five months in an England hospital recovering from battle wounds. He was reported Missing in Action for three months and presumed dead by his family. Upon release from the hospital in November, he returned to duty and transported prisoners to various camps.

For his service in the U.S. Army, Jim was awarded a Purple Heart and Pip Pins for his injuries. He also was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, Honorable Service, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Infantryman and Rifleman Medals. He received an honorable discharge on March 12, 1946 from the 90 ^th Division Texas/Oklahoma Regiment as they combined with the 357 ^th due to casualties.

Jim loved his country and stated many times that, "If I were younger, I would sign up and do it again. It's my duty." This immense feeling of patriotism and pride in his years of service to the military was one that he passed on to all members of his family.

Upon his discharge from the U.S. Army, Jim returned to Cambridge and went back to work at the Democrat News until 1966. At that time, he started working at Western Publishing until retiring in 1987 as Supervisor of the Bindery Department.

He married the former Doris N. Mills on April 14, 1949. Together they had four daughters.

In his early years, he enjoyed hunting and playing softball. As he grew older, Jim loved his boat and was an avid fisherman. He was known for his ability to have a "good catch" and each time he returned from his routine fishing trips, he took pictures of the fish he caught to share with his family and friends. Jim was also well known for his love of constructing wooden crafts which he made and sold at various craft shows for several years, a pastime which he enjoyed also because of the many people he encountered and had the opportunity to talk with. He loved playing grocery BINGO at the local fire companies. Jim had a fascination with hummingbirds, which he awaited the arrival of in the spring, and loved steamed crabs, especially the claws. In fact, he would always sit beside someone who didn't like the claws so he could eat their share too.

Above all of these interests, he loved spending time with his family and looked forward to coffee at Phyllis and Eddie's each Sunday morning after church and the many oyster and chicken dinners he assisted with at the Linkwood-Salem Fire Company. He truly cherished his time around family and his many friends. In fact, he was known as "Daddy James" to many, as he was always looked to as a father figure.

One of Jim's happiest and proudest moments was the dedication of the Veterans' Monument at The Veterans' Cemetery at Beulah. He served as co-fundraiser for the Veterans' Recognition Committee which raised funds for the placement of the monument. His other memberships and accomplishments include the Dorchester County Fireman's Hall of Fame to which he was inducted in 2008; VFW Post 7460 with whom he was one of the original 17 charter members; Madison Volunteer Fire Company which he was a founder and charter member of; AARP; Linkwood-Salem Volunteer Fire Company where he was an honorary member; lifetime member of the DAV; Ward Foundation; Madison United Methodist Church; Chateau United Methodist Church; and Moose Lodge.

Jim was preceded in death by his mother, Leila L. Jarrett; sister, Adith M. Frazier and her husband Howard; and an infant daughter.

He is survived by his wife, Henrietta Jarrett, whom he married on July 24, 1994; two daughters, Susan J. Wingate and her husband, Barry of Madison, and Jean L. Vickers of St. Michaels; a stepdaughter, Kathy Adkins and her husband Keith of Linkwood; a stepson, Jerry "Sonny" Willey, Jr. of Linkwood; two granddaughters, Christina Wingate-Spence and her husband Matthew of Trappe, and Heather Vickers of Catonsville; two step-granddaughters, Kassie Willey of Hurlock, and Jennifer Adkins and her fiancAC. Lance of Buxton, Maine; a step-grandson, Michael Adkins of Linkwood; four step-great-grandchildren, Hailee Catlett, Kayla Catlett, Evan Ruark, and Miranda Ruark all of Hurlock. He is also survived by two nieces, Phyllis Frazier James and her husband, Eddie of Madison, and Joan Frazier of Cambridge; one nephew, Phillip "Boy" Frazier and his wife Gloria of Madison; and a brother-in-law, Kenneth Hughes and his wife, Iris of Cambridge. He had 11 great-nieces and nephews and a special family friend, Tammy Phillips.

Funeral services will be held at 1pm on Thursday, January 8, 2009 at Thomas' Funeral Home in Cambridge, Maryland. The family will receive visitors one hour prior to the service beginning at 12 Noon. The Rev. Robert Kirkley will officiate the service. Interment will immediately follow the service at The Maryland Veterans' Cemetery near Hurlock.

Pallbearers include Matthew Spence, Keith Adkins, Jerry "Sonny" Willey, Jr., Michael Adkins, Lee Fairall and Danny Frazier. Honorary Pallbearers include Barry D. Wingate, Norman Wingate, Phillip "Boy" Frazier, Leroy Willey, Dougie Mayhorn, Eddie James and Dr. William Bair.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to the Madison Volunteer Fire Company, Madison, MD 21648; the Linkwood-Salem Fire Company P.O. Box 66 Linkwood, MD 21835; or the Madison United Methodist Church, Madison, MD 21648.