Justin Jarrett laid to rest

Friends and family of 21-year-old Justin Jarrell gathered at a Jonesboro funeral home to bid the young soldier and father good-bye. The Army Specialist who died while serving in Iraq is being remembered as someone who cared so much it seemed he wanted to watch over the world.

“They're without a very loving, caring person,” said Jarrell’s step-father George Castellaw of the 21-year-old’s wife and two children. “He just wanted to take care of people."

Castellaw says his stepson was a young boy when he first talked about joining the military. It's a dream that took Jarrett away from his family, first for training, then to serve as a gunner on a Humvee in Iraq.

When Jarrett was home for a short visit just last month, he talked about leaving the military, and his plans for his family.

"He didn't get to spend a lot of time with me the last time he was home, and he said when I get out, I'm gone spend a lot of time with you,” said Castellaw. “That was painful."

Earlier this week, Justin's widow talked to 11Alive, and stood strong with his photographs and his legacy.

“He believed in what he was doing over there, and he loved doing it,” said Kathleen Jarrett. “He was proud, and I'm proud."

Justin Jarrett was supposed to leave the Army in February. His step-father says Jarrett had planned to move his family to the north Georgia mountains for a peaceful life close to fishing and inner-tubing. Instead, he'll be buried near those same mountains.

Jarrett's wake will continue Saturday at the Ford-Stewart Funeral Home. His funeral will be held on Sunday at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Jonesboro. He'll be buried at Crestlawn Cemetery in McCaysville.

From WXIA 11

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