David D. Jarrett

Col. David D. Jarrett (USAF Ret)

SHREVEPORT, LA - David D. Jarrett, 88, died July 25th at LifeCare Hospital in WK Piermont following a long illness. Services will be held at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home Friday, July 27, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. officiated by Dr. Larry Williams followed by interment in Centuries Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be at the funeral home Thursday, July 26, 2007 from 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Col. Jarrett was a native of Memphis, TN and had been a resident of Shreveport for almost 40 years. He graduated from Central High School in Memphis. Following business school and a short career in banking, he enlisted in the U. S. Army in early 1941. He volunteered for and was accepted into the Air Cadet flight program shortly after the United States entered WWII. He received his pilot wings and commission in 1943 and was assigned to Barksdale to train as a B-17 pilot. He was later assigned to the 452nd Bomb Group, quickly upgraded to aircraft commander and deployed to England in late 1943. On 25 February 1944, during the major air campaign known as "Big Week" his aircraft was shot down near Regensburg, Germany. Col Jarrett stayed at the controls of his burning bomber until all nine members of his crew safely bailed out. After bailing out, he was captured and spent the remainder of the war as a POW in Stalag Luft 1 near Barth, Germany.

Upon his return to the U.S., he met and married his wife of over 50 years, Mary Lou Chambliss of Hardinsburg, KY and continued his Air Force career. Col Jarrett completed over 31 years of active duty, held a Command Pilot rating, and logged almost 6,000 flying hours in a variety of aircraft, while assigned to bases at Roswell, NM; Ft Worth, TX; Omaha, NE; Jacksonville, AR; Washington, DC; Hawaii, and numerous temporary duty locations around the world. He was assigned back to Barksdale in 1968 and retired from there in 1973. He was the recipient of the Legion of Merit, Air Medal, and Purple Heart.

Following his retirement from the Air Force, Col Jarrett went to work for the Caddo Parish Police Jury and quickly advanced to the position of Assistant Caddo Parish Administrator. During his 21-year career with Caddo Parish he was respected as a man who could get things done around the courthouse. He was the primary author of the charter that changed the parish form of government from the Police Jury system to the current Parish Commission.

Col Jarrett was devoted to his family and country and always exhibited the highest of personal standards. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Mary Lou in 1997. He is survived by devoted daughters Susan (David) Belanger, Mary Ann (Larry) Crumbliss, and Cindy (Dean) Giles all of Bossier City and son Randy (Lisa) Jarrett of Las Vegas, NV, and by 11 grandchildren (Maj. Scott Belanger, Mike Belanger, Brad Belanger, Lisa Rath, Lara Paine, Beau Williams, Kristi Williams, David Giles, Kari Jarrett, Robert Jarrett, and Candice Jarrett. He is also survived by 6 great-grandchildren and brothers Paul Jarrett of Memphis, TN and Jim Jarrett of Seguin, TX. He will also be remembered by his breakfast club friends at Murrell's.

Donations may be made in his name to St Joseph Catholic School of Shreveport or to the American Heart Association.

The family wishes to thank the caring staff of LifeCare Hospital, Dr. Mike Futrell and Dr.Jani. Pallbearers will be the Barksdale Air Force Honor Guard. Centuries Memorial Funeral Home 686-4334