Remembering Forrest Jarrett: Madison County icon embodied the 'love everybody' mantra

MARSHALL - "Call me any time — day or night," Forrest Jarrett used to say to people.

And he meant it, his friends and family say. Jarrett, 93, died Feb. 4 after a brief illness.

"Forrest Jarrett was the 'real deal,'" said former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows. "If there was something Forrest Jarrett could do for you, you could consider it done."

Jarrett started The Depot's Friday night music jam, where people from all over the world gathered at the downtown Marshall old-time/bluegrass/country music hall for cake and punch, tunes and dancing.

The venue even has a map highlighting all the countries from where visitors have traveled to get their boogie on.

Pat Franklin, The Depot's chair, said the affable Jarrett "never met a stranger," and "put the pepper in the gumbo" as a fellow board member at the venue.

"He loved The Depot and everything it stood for," Franklin said. "Our last conversation was about having the old caboose refurbished."

The building is the original Southern Railroad Depot for the town of Marshall and served as the depot until the 1970s, when passenger service was discontinued. In 1980, the Depot became the new Friday night jam spot.

"He wanted to provide a place where the community could come together to make music and dance," Franklin said. "We don't charge anything to get in because he wanted to make sure folks could come that didn't have money to spend on entertainment. He created a family that included the musicians, regular guests and the volunteers. No one gets paid at The Depot, and to have volunteers that show up every Friday night for years is amazing."

Railroad days

Jarrett used his far-reaching influence and connections to bring people together.

He served in the Army during the Korean War. After he came back, he worked his way up the chain with Norfolk Southern police, eventually becoming director of police in the 1980s.

► Visiting Our Past: From Madison farm to railroad police chief

In all, he compiled a 37-year, storied career as the chief policeman for Southern Railway and Norfolk Southern in 20 states and the District of Columbia, and retired in 1990 as the director of security of Norfolk Southern Railway.

During his time with Norfolk Southern, he helped establish the Lawmen, a company-sponsored country music band, in the 1950s. Fittingly, the band performed the final concert for which Jarrett was alive at The Depot on Dec. 18.

He sponsored the passage of a congressional bill for a federal commission for railroad police that had been stalled on the floor for 20 or 30 years.

His work in the political arena earned the admiration of Meadows, whom Jarrett remained close with until his death.

"He was a genuine Christian patriot," Meadows said. "Forrest had received the love of Jesus, and that love poured out on everyone around him. A person's background, job, title, denomination, or party affiliation did not matter to Forrest. He made each person feel like they were special to him. And because of that, no one could be more beloved than our dear friend, Forrest Jarrett. He looked for the best in folks, and he frequently found it.

"He served his Lord, his country, his family and everyone who was privileged to know him. It was an honor to recognize Mr. Forrest Jarrett by entering his name and accomplishments into the permanent Congressional record. We are deeply grateful for the gift of his friendship, and we echo the words that Forrest is undoubtedly hearing: 'Well done, good and faithful servant.'"

► Visiting Our Past: The Forrest Jarrett legend (a Madison prequel)

John Cooper met Jarrett at a dinner party for Norfolk Southern top brass.

"I’ve never met a man that loved the railroad as much as he did. We became instant friends - he being from Madison County and me from the Cherokee Indian Reservation," Cooper said. "I recall taking him out on a turkey hunt and he missed. He later spoke of that hunt and laughed. He said I missed that turkey, but when I got home there was a turkey in my game box. I have too many stories I could tell, but I will keep it short and sweet: Madison County lost a great man, and so did a lot of other people.

"I consider it an honor to have known Forrest. He always would say 'Never burn the bridge you crossed, you might have to go back across that same bridge. Love both sides.' If ever you had the honor to know Forrest, you could learn a lot from him if you just listen. He would always say I love you, love you, love you, and mean it. My family has lost a true best friend. With deepest condolences my family will forever love and miss Mr. Forrest Jarrett. We cherish the memories we made with him."

His Madison County roots

While his social connections were wide-reaching, Jarrett, a Marshall High School graduate, always strove to build bridges in his beloved hometown as well.

"Forrest was all about building community and helping anyone who had a problem," former Superior Court Judge Alan Thornburg said. "He didn’t care what you had or what your politics were. He was at the center of a vast network of his making: He made friends, kept friends and brought folks together in friendships that will continue on. For Forrest, it was always about relationships – always about people. He laughed big and loved life right to the end."

Marshall Mayor Nancy Allen said Jarrett "loved the town of Marshall," and credits him for his work with The Depot.

"He was proactive and instrumental in saving our Depot," Allen said. "It is the Friday night focal point with traditional mountain music enjoyed by everyone that attends. When you entered The Depot, Forrest was the official greeter and made you feel welcome, just part of the family. As he earnestly volunteered many hours, time and personal money, he became an excellent ambassador for our town promoting every Friday night great musical performers. Forrest had a gift as a leader in bringing people together for enjoyment and the good cause of promoting the town of Marshall. I have already heard this comment said by so many of our friends in our town, “He will be truly missed.'”

► Visiting Our Past: Music, trains, Jarrett legacy carried area's spirit

His love for the outdoors

Among his other accomplishments was his help creating the Sandy Mush Game Lands, administered by the U.S. Forest Service.

Jarrett also was an avid hunter.

Jarrett's nephew, Melvin Butler, recalls some of the peculiar eating habits his uncle adopted during their many hunting trips.

"In the last 30 years, Uncle Forrest and I always roomed together when we went away on hunting trips. We were at Brosnan Forrest in Georgetown, South Carolina," Butler said. "It was late and we were in our room getting ready for bed when he said, 'I would like to have a Vidalia onion sandwich with an inch thick slice of onion.' I went down to the kitchen and searched until I found what I needed and made him an onion sandwich. He was a very happy camper. He really did love Vidalia onions. We always had good times whenever we were together, regardless of where we were, here or on a trip."

Dean Roberts remembers sharing laughs with Jarrett on a 13-person pheasant hunting trip in South Dakota.

"On one of the first hunts, Forrest and myself were the wing men on the left side of the corn field about 30 yards ahead of the guys working the middle of the field," Roberts said. "The guys were working up a knoll as me and Forrest were going down the other side, out of sight of the others. A hen came up out of the corn and flew to our left. Forrest shot and killed the hen; we’re only supposed to shoot the males. I asked, 'Forrest, why did that hen fly up in front of your gun?' Forrest said, 'I don’t know, but it was a grave mistake.'

"I said, 'I’ll bet she won’t do that again. He chuckled, “I bet not, I bet not.' He continued, 'No one else saw it, so let’s give her a private ceremony. If you say a prayer, I’ll shed a tear.' As I started to pray, Forrest took his hat off, placed it over his heart and bowed his head. After my prayer of approximately 10 seconds, I asked Forrest if he had shed a tear? He said, 'Yes, that was very touching, and she deserved nothing less.' We laughed and continued the hunt. Over the years since, we would laugh and chuckle about the 'private ceremony.'"

According to Franklin, Jarrett's legacy of acceptance and camaraderie will live on at the famed venue for years to come, as will the sound of his joyous belly laugh and bellowing voice.

"'We love everybody' will be his legacy," Franklin said. "We don't care how much money you have, who you pray to, who you love, who your daddy is or who you vote for. There were no unimportant people in his world."

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Remembering Forrest Jarrett, who embodied the 'love everybody' mantra