Cover photo for Keith Jarratt's Obituary
Keith Jarratt Profile Photo
1948 Keith 2021

Keith Jarratt

September 25, 1948 — March 10, 2021

Fort Davis

“It must be nice to be Mr. Jarratt,” his wife would say.  He agreed.  It was, until it wasn’t.

Alvin “Keith” Jarratt, 72, went to his Heavenly Home on March 10, 2021 at his home in Fort Davis following his battle with pancreatic cancer.  Keith was born September 25, 1948, to Alvin Art Jarratt and LaRue West Jarratt in Loraine, TX.  His grandparents, Lester Lee Jarratt and wife, Mae Reeder Jarratt and JW and wife, Trixie West, all of Loraine, TX, were important to Keith and influential in his upbringing.

Keith lived more than 70 years in what he lovingly referred to as his “earthly paradise,” Fort Davis, TX.  He attended elementary school thru high school in Fort Davis Independent School District, graduating in 1967.  He attended two years at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, TX.

When asked what his greatest accomplishment was Keith answered, “Raising a wife and three kids.”  He married Bridget Creek on October 16, 1971, while she was a senior at Fort Davis High School.  He would brag that, “She is the only Mrs. Valedictorian of FDHS” and “I’ve never studied so much in my life!”  They would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in October.

Keith dearly loved his three children and nine grandchildren: Daughter, Dustie Jarratt Bartolazzi and husband Emory, grandsons Caycen and Turner, of Magnolia, TX; Son, Wesley Lance Jarratt, grandchildren John Wesley and Amelia Margaret of Fort Davis, TX; Daughter, Annette Jarratt Barraza and husband Eddie, grandchildren Mariah, Vincent, Avery; Sye and Kelston of Alpine TX.

Keith is also survived by his stepmother, Mary Anne Jarratt of Fort Davis; brother, Jay L. Jarratt, Sr. and wife, Maribeth Jarratt, of Fort Davis; Steve and sister, Jan Jarratt Jacobs, of New Braunfels, Texas; Johnny and cousin, Myra Harvey of New Braunfels, Texas; nephews, Jay L. Jarratt, Jr. and wife, Audra of Justin, TX; Brian Jarratt and wife, Melissa of Fort Davis, TX; and Bart Jarratt of McKinney, TX.

“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life,” per Confucius.

In 1971, Keith founded and worked at Jarratt Dirt Work and Paving, Inc.  Keith often reflected that his business longevity was thanks to God’s provision and the continual support of the Big Bend Area Communities. Keith did love his job of 50 years, especially working alongside his son and co-owner, Lance, and daughter, Annette, his office manager.  He felt so very blessed to have had the opportunity to have worked for so many of the local ranch families, businesses, and communities throughout the West Texas Area. Keith was further grateful to have served as Road Maintenance Contractor for Jeff Davis County for more than 45 years.

Keith loved the Lord Jesus Christ and strived to serve him as a member of his beloved First Baptist Church, serving as a Trustee, Deacon, choir member, and on multiple committees throughout his 61-year membership.   He also served his local community as a FDISD School Board member for 18 years and as a member of the Jeff Davis County Appraisal Board.

Keith was a car enthusiast and collector.  Keith and Bridget hardly ever ventured far from Fort Davis except for trips to Scottsdale, Arizona, in January to all the car auctions and shows.  He enjoyed entering local car shows and the camaraderie among other car enthusiast and winning many trophies.

Mr. Jarratt was an avid storyteller, recounting local lore and history of his dear West Texas.  He also delighted in sharing a ‘good’ joke, even to the embarrassment of his wife and kids.  He was famous for quotes such as “Live and Learn, Die and Forget it All,” “I’ve suffered a great many catastrophes in my life, most of which never happened,” and “This too shall pass.”  He shared a special quote with youngest daughter Annette, “Hang in There,” even giving her an engraved necklace to remind her. One of his favorites when asked how he was,

“I am just Tippy Top”!

However, of all Keith’s accomplishments, his greatest desire for his legacy was to share the love of Christ: “For God so loved the world that He gave his One and Only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16).

The family wishes to express its appreciation to Dr. Jim Luecke, Rebecca Lewis, NP, Kathy Duncan, NP, Meredith Imler, PharmD and to the other healthcare professionals, Connie Cornett, Jess Williams Jones, Yolanda Molinar, Crystal Bentley, Andrea Lara, and Rosalinda Jordan for their care and support.

A Memorial Service will be held at First Baptist Church, 101 South Agave, Fort Davis, TX, Saturday, March 13, 2021 @ 2:00 P.M., fellowship reception to follow, with a private family sunset burial at Hillside Cemetery, Fort Davis, TX.

In lieu of flowers, memorials/donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Fort Davis, Texas, PO Box 809, Fort Davis, Texas 79734.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Keith Jarratt, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Memorial Service

Saturday, March 13, 2021

Starts at 2:00 pm (Central time)

First Baptist Church (Fort Davis, TX, Hillside Cemetery)

TX

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Private Service

Hillcrest Cemetery

, Fort Davis, TX 79734

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