- Date Of Death: January 6, 2009
- State: Maryland
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 357th Regiment Co. I 90th 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.
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.
