Dr. James Edward Jarrett

Dr. James Edward Jarrett unexpectedly passed away on February 24, 2023. He was only 67 years old and his family is deeply saddened and shocked by his sudden death. Jim was born on May 29, 1955. Jim was a beloved father, husband, son, brother, physician, uncle, and friend, and we know many will be heartbroken and devastated with his passing.

Jim exemplified kindness, compassion, and generosity in all he did and to everyone he encountered. He was a listener first, quick to follow with a word of gentle encouragement.

Jim graduated from Anderson High School (Anderson, IN) in 1973 and earned a bachelor’s degree from Ball State University in 1977. He graduated from Indiana University Medical School in 1981 and, after completing his residency in 1985, went into private practice at Beacon OB/GYN. Throughout his accomplished career, he delivered over 6,500 babies while sharing his knowledge with medical students and residents and touching countless lives along the way. Jim truly loved his patients and his team.

Jim’s care for his patients was beyond just a vocation. It was his calling and a responsibility he treasured and strived to do to his very best in every interaction. He did not simply diagnose, treat, or deliver, rather, he took time to know and understand them, hear and calm their concerns, and join them in a lifetime journey. He laughed and cried with them, prayed for them, and loved them well.

Of all of his many accomplishments in life, Jim was most proud of his family. Gretchen was the love of his life from their earliest days together as college students through the nearly 50 years that followed. He adored her, doted on her, and loved her to his absolute core. His love for Gretchen and the family they created together could not be measured and he was most proud of his titles of Husband, Father, and Grandfather.

Jim was a man of deep, personal, and committed faith. He loved Jesus and loved spending time with his church community in fellowship, worship, study, and service. He dedicated his life to serving others, often through prison ministry or other opportunities to reflect light and love into the lives of his friends, patients, and others he met along the way.

He was happiest and at his best when spending time with family and friends. And time with Jim was always special and memorable, as he seized every opportunity to create experiences for those closest and dearest to him.

Jim enjoyed many hobbies and interests throughout his life and pursued each with passion, commitment, and was “all in” on whatever his focus was at the time.

Jim is survived and dearly missed by his loving wife Gretchen (nee Clark) of 46 years; his twin brother, Dr. Jeff Jarrett of Middletown, OH (wife Sheree Young); and his children, Jennifer Romanchuk of Chicago, IL (husband Steven and children James, Louis, Beatrice and Clark) and Kyle Jarrett of Westfield, IN (wife Jessica and children Jackson, Vivian and Scottie); as well many nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Margaret (nee Duvall) Jarrett and brother David A. Jarrett of Orlando, FL.

Jim’s family would greatly appreciate hearing from those who cared deeply about him. His family has created a special email to accept these memories at [email protected]. We invite you to send photos, condolences, words of comfort, or a fond memory of Jim.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to the Kairos Prison Ministry of Indiana and Every Mother Counts

Visitation will be on Saturday, March 11th from 12 pm to 3 pm EST at Northview Church Westfield Campus (1191 W 186th Street, Westfield, IN.) Service will immediately follow the visitation. To view a livestream of the service, please click here.

Jim would want this to be a celebration of his wonderful life, so please attend with joy in your hearts.