Christopher John Jarboe

1972 - 2018

Mr. Christopher John Jarboe, 46, of Frederick, Maryland, died unexpectedly on Sunday October 7, 2018.

Born February 26, 1972 in Silver Spring, Maryland at Holy Cross Hospital. Chris grew up in Frederick and attended Maryland School for the Deaf. Despite a variety of challenges and obstacles throughout his life, he worked very hard to eventually earn his General Education Diploma and go on to achieve certification in welding. Chris will be fondly remembered by his family for his sense of humor, laughter, antics, passion for the outdoors, obsession for organization and cleanliness, and especially his Big Heart. Chris had a love for all things outdoors and being creative with his hands. He was always eager to help family with various home projects, landscaping, washing cars, most recently building a multi-family mailbox stand, and basic jobs as a plumbers helper with his brother.

Chris was instrumental in leading a class action lawsuit against the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services with the support from the National Association of the Deaf. He was steadfast in seeing the case through, which ultimately won and ensured that deaf inmates at DPSCS Correctional Facilities and DPSCS Prerelease Housing Units have an equal opportunity to participate in and enjoy the benefits of services, programs, or activities as non-Deaf inmates similarly situated. More specifically, deaf inmates would have access to video phones, as hearing inmates did with telephones, and that interpreters would continue to be provided for medical and educational needs. Chris' family is extremely proud of his unwavering drive in making sure efforts to support deaf inmates in the Maryland prison system were a success.

Chris is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, William and Kathleen Jarboe and maternal grandparents, Thomas and Bernice Palsha. He is survived by his parents, Robert Jarboe and Deborah Palsha; sister Mellissa Jarboe; brother and sister-in-law Nathanael and Lisa Jarboe; nephews Dezmond Jarboe-Moore, Xzavier Jarboe-Prince, and Ryan Cochran; niece Daizy Jarboe-Prince, as well as many other friends and family.

The family invites those who knew and loved Chris to a reception and celebration of his life at The Blue Side Tavern located at 6 S. Bentz St. Frederick, Maryland 21701, on Monday, October 15th from 5:30-8:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Mental Health Association of Frederick County at www.fcmha.org or 226 South Jefferson St. Frederick, MD 21701.