James Jarrett

James W. Jarrett

June 25, 1944 to Feb 22, 2012

Longtime Palo Alto resident

Jim Jarrett died unexpectedly during a trek on Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. He was 67.

A retired Intel Corporation vice president, he had a broad influence on the company for 28 years. Jim joined Intel in 1979 as the first manager of Corporate Communications and later became vice president of Investor Relations. He served as president of Intel China from 1996 to 2000. While in China, he was named a governor of the American Chamber of Commerce, a board member of the U.S. Information Technology Office and chairman of the China Chapter of the Semiconductor Industry Association. He later became Intel's first vice president of Global Public Policy and testified before Congress on the importance of improving American science and technology education. Jim retired from Intel in 2008. In recent years he continued to work on public policy issues, working closely with Andy Grove and his foundation.

Prior to joining Intel, Jim served with the U.S. Army at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, New York, and later worked as a communications consultant. He graduated from Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio in 1966. He was an avid photographer and enjoyed cycling, hiking, music and travel.

Jim is survived by his wife of 43 years Laurie; daughters Tracey, Alison and Lindsay and her husband Justin; brother John Jarrett (Carol) and many beloved family members. He is preceded in death by his parents Andrew and Regina Jarrett and his sister Joanne Jarrett Beal.

A celebration of Jim's life will be held at 10AM on Friday March 9th at the First Congregational Church, 1985 Louis Road, Palo Alto.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to www.abilitiesunited.org or www.kenyon.edu.