United States Army Sergeant First Class • Line of Duty Death: July 15, 2010

United States Army Sergeant First Class John H. Jarrell passed away on July 15, 2010 due to being caught in an IED explosion while on deployment in Afghanistan.
Jarrell was born and raised in Hampton, South Carolina. With his siblings much older than him and out of the house, he and his mother were very close. Jarrell and his nephew, Alan, shared a very close bond and considered each other brothers as they were closer in age than Jarrell was to his siblings. He loved anything and everything involving hunting and fishing and carried this passion into adulthood. Jarrell held a special bond with everyone in his family. When his cousin, Clay, passed away in a car accident at just 16 years old, Jarrell was devastated. Later in life, his mother remarried and he became very fond of his stepfather, Larry. He and his wife, Wendi, met while Jarrell was an instructor in Fort Carson, 1-8 Infantry Battalion. Wendi was a Sergeant while Jarrell was a Staff Sergeant. After sharing an instant connection, the pair were inseparable.
Jarrell had always wanted to be a soldier; he would often play with toy soldiers as a child. When he was a sophomore in high school, he met with a recruiter and joined the Army as a minor. Shortly after graduating high school, Jarrell left for the Army. He loved everything about his job; serving his country, being a part of the action, and making connections with individuals who became family. Two weeks after his daughter was born, Jarrell left for Airborne School, encouraged by his wife to follow his dreams. Jarrell received many awards and had countless accomplishments throughout his honorable career, from being a respected and loved leader, attending Airborne School and Air Assault School, receiving a Bronze Star, to saving one of his soldiers who had been shot by a sniper. He was immeasurably humble. While out on foot patrol in Afghanistan, Jarrell and a few of his soldiers were struck by an IED. While everyone was taking cover, Jarrell was running to and helping his soldiers when he was struck by another IED. He and his medic passed away that day.
Currently, Wendi resides in Indiana, in the town she grew up in. She plans to stay there, as she has family and an amazing support system. She and her daughter, Emma, love to spend time outdoors, hiking and off-roading in her Jeep. She also enjoys watching Emma play rugby. In the future, Wendi is most excited to watch her daughter continue to grow and develop into an amazing young adult. The Tunnel to Towers Foundation is gifting Wendi with her mortgage being paid off, which she describes as a true blessing. With the ability to save more, Wendi plans to ensure that her daughter has everything she needs to thrive in college. Finally, Wendi would like others to know how much her husband loved his country and his family. Jarrell had the most amazing spirit, beautiful smile, and compassionate heart. He could make you feel as though you can accomplish anything; he changed Wendi’s life.
United States Army Sergeant First Class John H. Jarrell is survived by his loving wife, Wendi, his children, Emma and Brantley, his mother, Maude, his stepfather, Larry, his sister, Lisa, his brother, Dean, his nephew, Alan, his half-sisters, Casey and Jessica, his parents-in-law, Ward and DeVona, and his brother-in-law, Scott. He is predeceased by his cousin, Clay.
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has paid off the mortgage of the Jarrell family home through the Gold Star Family Home Program.