James Phillip Jarrett

James Phillip (“Phil”) Jarrett was born February 8, 1950 to James Lam Jarrett and Marie Lorraine Reese in Columbus, Ohio. James graduated from East High School of Columbus, Ohio in 1968. He was also a member of the Hi-Y 1967-’68 state championship basketball team. After high school, James received a scholarship to play basketball at a Junior College in Parkersburg, West Virginia. In the spring of 1969, he transferred to Central State University. As a freshman at CSU, James walked-on to the CSU Marauders football team (later known as the “Cut Throats”) and excelled as a defensive back and punt returner. He was soon nicknamed “chicken hawk” by his fellow teammates, because of his quickness and fearless attacks to his opponents. During his senior year, James was selected as captain of the Cut Throats. In 1973, James received his Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation. Later, he was inducted into the CSU Athletic Hall of Fame on October 9, 2009. Immediately after college, James initially used his talents working for the Columbus Department of Parks and Recreation where he became well known among the many children who came to his playground. He enjoyed watching sports and playing golf. After over 23 years of employment James retired from the Defense Finance and Accounting Services (DFAS) in 2012. He was an avid fan of the Oakland Raiders, Cleveland Cavaliers and The Ohio State Buckeyes. He was always willing and able to share his knowledge and enthusiasm of almost any sport with his friends and family. On Monday, September 30, 2019, at the age of 69, James passed away peacefully at home with his family. In addition to his parents, James was preceded in death by his sisters, Loraine Elizabeth Potter and Yvonne Gwendolyn Jarrett; uncle, George R Jarrett; aunts, Florence Gibson, Annie Ramsey, Margaret Rhoads, Emma J Jackson, Bessie Maye, Mary L Jackson, and Norma J Maddox. His legacy and life will be forever remembered by his loving wife of 28 years, Denise Harden Jarrett; daughters, Jeena Effoe, Jalisa Jarrett, and Mariah Jarrett; brother, George A (Nancy) Jarrett of Columbus; sisters, Deborah Duhon of Los Angeles, California and Lanee Jarrett of Columbus; aunts, Doris N Singer of North Carolina, Gwendolyn (Dr. Orville) Lynch, Willene Williams, both of Columbus and Beverly (Joe) Crim of North Carolina; sister-in-law, Damita Britten of Warrensville Hts.; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.