John Augustus Jarrett

John “Jack” Augustus Jarrett was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in the spring of 2023. He suspended the treatments in April of 2025. He died peacefully on the morning of Friday August 8th, 2025 three days before his 79th birthday.

Jack is preceded in death by his parents and younger sister, Joan Ellen How (Jarrett) of Springfield, Colorado. He is survived by his younger brother, James L. Jarrett and his wife Dawn R. Jarrett of Powell, Wyomin; nephew, Jacob S. Jarrett of Powell of Wyoming; niece, April K. Blanford (Jarrett) of Chadron, Nebraska; two great nephews and two great nieces.

On August 11th, 1947, Jack was born to John A. Jarrett Jr, and Mary Ellen Jarrett (Childears) in Ft. Sill Oklahoma. Jack’s dad was an army officer. To join his father who was serving as an administrator for the occupational forces, Jack and his Mother moved to Germany where he learned to speak German. Later they moved to Karachi, Pakistan where he attended middle school while his Dad taught at the Pakistani Military Academy where Jack learned to speak Arabic. Another big move put his teenage years with his family in Manhattan, KS. Jack played football player at Manhattan High School where he started at fullback his senior year in 1964. By all accounts, blocking was his specialty. He was a walk-on at Kansas State University and participated his freshman year. JJ was an exceptional student graduating from K-State in only six years with a doctorate in veterinary medicine. Also as an ROTC graduate he entered the U.S. Army as a first lieutenant and served two years in Alexandria, VA. Later, he seized an opportunity in Armstrong, British Columbia by taking over a Veterinary practice. Remarkably, Jack left his profession and moved back to the US where he became a cab driver in Las Vegas, a real estate broker and car salesman in Bakersfield Ca., only to end up back in Kansas in 2003. In Kansas City, Jack reconnected with an old passion: Handball. The KC handball community was flourishing at the time and welcomed JJ with open arms. Jack was a staple participant and observer at handball tournaments or just enjoying pick up games at the Kansas City Athletic Club (KCAC). His handyman skills paid off when he started his company, “Let Jack Do it”. For years he helped improve the lives of his friend’s and client’s with his knowledge and abilities to fix and/or building anything. If his spare time was not spent on handball or reading, Jack was in the woods or on the water. An avid fisherman, camper and overall outdoorsman, JJ’s heart belonged to nature.

Those who knew Jack will attest to his loyalty, accountability and overall trustworthiness. He always gave a straight answer. In sailing term: His keel was straight and deep. When asked how he wanted to be remembered, Jack replied, “Cast out a line and pop a cold one”