Thomas Edwin Jarriel

Thomas Edwin Jarriel, age 89, passed on October 24, 2024. He was born on December 29, 1934 in LaGrange GA. Tom grew up in Georgia and Louisiana, and graduated from Byrd High School in Shreveport, LA in 1952. He played varsity tennis at University of Houston graduating with a BA in Journalism. Tom met the love of his life, Joan Ellen Borgeson in Shreveport. Tom and Joan were wed in a small ceremony and spent their early days as an Army couple at Ft Monmouth, NJ, later living in Georgia, Potomac, MD, Edgewater, MD, and Ft Pierce, FL.
Tom is survived by Joan, his wife of 67 years and three sons: Mike (Marilyn), Stephen (Lisa) and Jeffrey (Catherine). Tom and Joan are proud grandparents to Jenna (Matt), Ryan (Holly), Tess (Craig), Bailey (Ben), Matthew, Kaylin, and Marina, and their great grandchild Luke. As the youngest of six children, Tom was preceded in death by his parents William Lester Jarriel and Ruth Ella Knight, his siblings Jeri, Evelyn, Bill, Bob, and Dorothy. His family gatherings wouldn't be complete without Joan's brothers Don (Marianne) and Bob (Beth).
Tom began his career in radio at KPRC Houston. He transitioned to television news, working as a reporter for ABC News from 1964 to 2002. He was the White House correspondent for ABC during the administrations of U.S. Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. In 1979, Tom joined the network's newsmagazine 20/20 as an investigative correspondent. He traveled across the US and the world assembling documentaries on subjects such as the defects in the American criminal justice system, wasteful spending by the United States Department of Defense, and transportation accidents. He received a number of Emmy Awards for his work. He often provided ABC News Brief updates and served as substitute anchor on World News Tonight. He retired from broadcasting in 2002.
Tom and Joan were passionate about their dogs including collies, a Scotty, several Golden Retrievers and finally their beloved Portuguese Water dog, Skipper, who gave them a focus and many opportunities for walks into their later years.
Tom was renowned for his ability to have a dialog with anyone, always loving to tell a story (perhaps a tall tale). With his extensive travel, he had quite a variety of experiences to draw upon. He enjoyed tennis, boating, fishing, and golf. One of his fondest summer activities was hosting crab feasts on the dock at his summer retreat on Turkey Point.
He will truly be missed!
Family and friends are invited to gather to celebrate Tom's life on Thursday, October 31 from 11 am to 1 pm at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Human Society of Treasure Coast, Treasure Coast Food Bank, Doctors Without Borders.