David Jarrett Funeral

Intro

On behalf of the family I’d like to welcome everyone as we remember, honor and celebrate the life of David Jarrett. From a preacher’s perspective, funerals are very different. Some folks you don’t know. Some you don’t know about their spiritual life. But then there are days like to day where you know and love and have complete confidence about where Dave is right now.

This has been such a difficult 12 months or so. Quarantine has kept us distanced. We say, “We’ll get together when all this is over.” But suddenly we realize time is fleeting and people are precious. These days force us to come out and to recognize how much we need one another. So today we come together to remember, mourn and celebrate a great man who was a husband, a son, a brother, a dad, and uncle, a grandpa, a great-grandpa, so much more.

Prayer

David William Jarrett 73, of Indianapolis, passed away on April 25, 2021 at home surrounded by his loving family. David was born December 2, 1947 in Richmond, Indiana the son of the late Olin and Janet Jarrett. David and his wife Dottie owned Dottie's Kitchen in Indianapolis at City Market. He served in the Marine Corps. during the Vietnam War, 1965-1969, and was a member of the VFW, Marine Corps. League, Disabled American Vets and the American Legion. David was a member of Thrive Church in Camby, Indiana and enjoyed hunting and fishing in his spare time. He is survived by his wife: Dottie, daughter: Dawn (Jason) Holliday, step-father: Gene Webb, daughter-in-law: Sonya Jarrett-Hillegass, sisters: Kim (Jeff) Cross, brother: Mike Jarrett, grandchildren: Becky (Greg) Lukenback, Kayla (Jacob) Friesthler, Jordan and Ashley Holliday and great grandchildren: Gage and Geist Luckenback. David is preceded in death by his parents, son: Bryan Jarrett and a brother: Matthew Jarrett.

Obituaries are helpful but they scarcely do justice. When I heard Dave had passed and I paused to think of how much he means to so many. One phrase popped into my head, it’s been there ever since. It’s Latin - Semper Fidelis. It means Always Faithful or Forever Faithful.

Marines

Of Course Semper Fi is one of the slogans of the Marine Corps. Dave faithfully served from 65-69 and was deployed to Vietnam. He had 5 run ins with booby traps. One of those resulted in a purple heart.

He told he needed to get home because there was a young gal named Dottie that had promised to marry him if he made it home alive.

Just a few weeks ago he made sure she showed me the picture of the coffee pot she mailed to Vietnam for him. I’m sure the instructions did not say to heat the coffee using C4, but when in Rome…

Tomorrow he will receive full and deserved military honors

Transition - Semper Fidelis wasn’t reserved for the Corps. Always faithful could describe the way he loves his family.

Family

Dave must have told me 4 or 5 times the story of Dottie secretly saving her baby sitting money to buy him an Ithaca 12 gauge. That’s a bunch of dirty diapers!

Log cutting

3 toed bears - fishing trips - hunting

He loved to spend time with grandkids - apples

The family will need you in the coming days…

Transition - Semper Fidelis to the church

Church

I learned so much

Not just the fun stuff! Dave could organize meals in his sleep

When there was work to do:

kids ministry - at the stage when most say, “I’ve done my time.” Dave said, “Put me in, coach.”

Mowing - using a push mower!

Burning brush piles! Scared me to death.

As an elder - prayer and faith decisions

8 below story

Dave had a few chats with me over the years and he’d have one with me today if I didn’t make this about Jesus!

While Dave provides a model of faithfulness, ultimately Semper Fidelis isn’t really about Dave’s faithfulness, but it’s about the object of Dave’s faith - Jesus. What Jesus creates, Jesus loves. What Jesus loves he loves faithfully, forever.

Jesus’ Faithfulness

Scripture reminds us that Jesus said, “I will never leave you or abandon you.” That brings comfort today.

It is Jesus who never leaves us on days like this

It is Jesus who never changes his mind when we mess it all up

It is Jesus who never has a bad day, needs a break, or faces a situation he couldn’t handle

It’s Jesus who smiled and welcomed Dave saying, “Well done!”

For just a moment, I’d like to take you back to a scene in scripture that happened just before funeral.

Jesus provides encouraging words for those who follow him and for those who will. For Dave, this is the bedrock that provided footing through the many storms of life.

John 14:1–6 CSB

1 “Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also. 4 You know the way to where I am going.” 5 “Lord,” Thomas said, “we don’t know where you’re going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Don’t be troubled

Dave chose a room in the Father’s house over a hospital room - it was bought and paid for by Jesus

He is the Way the Truth and the Life

Until then, Semper Fidelis