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Jack E. Jarrard, 84, died at his home early Sunday, March 25th after battling a long series of illnesses. If he were here for us to ask, "What should we do, Dad," the answer would be predictable: "Don't you call me a Do-Dad!"

His quick quips and tall tales are legendary. He loved kids and dogs and newspaper work. He was a 37-year veteran of the Deseret News where he worked as business editor, Church News editor, traveling Church News editor and copy editor. Dad looked forward to going to work everyday where he rubbed shoulders with many notable figures, including LDS Church leaders. Over the years, he traveled the world and covered many milestones for The Church of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, Dad suffered a stroke in 1977 which curtailed his globe-trotting; he retired from the newspaper in 1981. In recent years, he enjoyed doing genealogy on his computer and submitted hundreds of ancestral names for temple work. He was a High Priest, an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had served as bishop's counselor, Elders' quorum president and numerous teaching positions, including an assignment at the Utah State Prison with his wife.

He was born in Garfield, Salt Lake County (near Magna) on June 2, 1916 to John Mance Jarrard and Agnes Wiseman Jarrard. His father was a hard-rock miner who came to Utah from Georgia to seek his fortune and instead found a Mormon girl to marry. Dad grew up in poverty, worked in the CCCs during the depression and got his first break when he took a job as a copy boy at the old Salt Lake Telegram in 1940.

Jack Jarrard married Edna June Littlefield November 20, 1944 (later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple).

He is survived by his wife and their five children: G.M. Jarrard (wife Christie), Jeanne (husband Gerald) Greenwood, David (wife Bobbie) Jarrard, Julie Kaye (husband Ron) Miller, and Jill (husband Ken) Ince. Jack and his wife have 20 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his two older brothers, Bill and France.

There will be a viewing for family and friends on Wednesday, March 28th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Holbrook Mortuary, 3251 South 2300 East. Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 29th at 2 p.m. at the Butler West LDS Stake Center, 1845 East 7200 South. Visitors may call an hour prior to the services to greet family members.

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