Gene Lester Jarrett, LBI ’50, died March 9, 2020.
Gene began his life of ministry on Easter Sunday in 1947. He was ordained to Christian ministry at Mars Hill Church of Christ in 1950. Gene expressed his passion for ministry in various ways. He sang in Way of Gladness men’s quartet, whose signature song was “I’ve Discovered the Way of Gladness”. For many summers he served as dean of a week of Christian camps at Illiana in Indiana, a camp in Newnan, GA, and Woodland Christian Camp in Temple, GA, which he helped start. Gene also took part in and at times led the Georgia Christian Evangelizing Association which planted churches in GA. Over the course of 45 years Gene served nine congregations in Illinois, Indiana, and Georgia, including two church plants. After retirement in 1993, Gene and his wife Alice moved to Jekyll Island, GA where he enjoyed golf, tennis, visits from family, gardening, volunteering with MAP International, and Lion’s Club, serving as president of the Jekyll Island Citizens Association, and interim preaching. In September 2016 they moved to Johnson City, TN near two of their daughters. Gene’s parents, John and Eady Jarrett, and sister Patsy Jarrett Wilson, LBI ’57, preceded him in death. Gene is survived by his wife Alice, daughters Becky (Kevin) Allsop, Cindy (Scott) Schade, Laura Jarrett (Meck Groot), Jennifer (Bryant) Kelley, three grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, one brother, Ron Jarrett, LCC ’77 and his wife Pam, brother-in-law Robert Wilson, LBI ’58, sister-in-law Laura Arksey, six nieces, three nephews and their families.