Education Matters US

I am taking the liberty to share with you a personal story about my Uncle and how I believe he exemplifies the true spirit of what it means to be a Christian and an American. If you only want to read about education issues then feel free to stop reading now and come back tomorrow.

My Uncle Horace was killed Wednesday afternoon while trying to retrieve a large piece of tire from Interstate 95 in near Richmond Virginia. I will not be sharing the entire story, but you may read more in the Richmond Times Dispatch.

The traits Horace displayed are the same traits that built this great nation. Those traits are a love and reverence for God, self reliance, and compassion toward his fellow man.

Horace was not a man to wait for the government to help people. If he saw someone in need, he stepped in and did whatever he could. Below are a few stories relayed from the Richmond Times Dispatch story, from my father, and from people who knew Horace.

When he worked as a tow truck operator years ago, it wasn’t unusual for him to accept only part of his fee from stranded motorists short on cash. He would even drive out-of-state drivers down on their luck to a local motel for the night. If they didn’t have money, he’d pay for their room.

One of the people who he did this for was at the visitation this afternoon relaying their story.

“Money was not something he was in it for,” said state police Sgt. Dane Wyatt, who knew Jarratt for nearly 23 years. “He was in the business to help people. He would [sometimes] lose money on wrecker calls.”

From personal experience, he lost money most of the time. He would sometimes only charge for the parts, but almost always he cut his labor fees, charge a minimal amount or not charge at all just to help people out.

Below are a few more personal stories from people Horace helped:

I have known Horace most of my life, he towed my first vehicle many years ago. Because of Horace I became a wrecker driver so I could help everyone like he did.- Michael Harrell (Chester, VA)

One example that tells the kind of person Horace was happened with a vehicle stuck in a ditch. Horace came by and stopped to help. He got out in the heavy rain and crawled into a ditch filled with running rain water. He towed the car out and the lady asked how much do I owe you. Horace told her nothing, he was on his way to another call anyway.- Gary Sims (Chesterfield Police (Ret.), VA)

Horace was a friend to my family. If my guys needed him he was a phone call away. Even when they didn’t have money to pay him, he helped them and took payment later. That’s just the kind of special person he was, he was always ready and willing to help people, and he was doing what he loved best up to the last. – Darrell Daugharthy (Chester, VA)

We lived behind you in the rental house during 91-93. Horace kindly let me use his chain saw to cut a tree limb that was hitting our house and distributing our son at night when going to sleep. Thanks again, Horace. For being a kind and friendly neighbor. – bill wolfe (colonial heights, VA)

On a personal note, last year my father became deathly ill. Uncle Horace came from work to the hospital and stayed overnight so my sisters could rest and while I drove from Illinois to Virginia. At that time, my father was touch and go. In fact, about a half hour before I arrived, they were preparing to call the family back to the hospital. Uncle Horace was there and kept talking to my dad and telling him I was on the way to hold on. My dad pulled through and I know Uncle Horace’s presence and strength that night helped him.

I can remember a time when Uncle Horace pulled me out of the mud when I got stuck. He also helped me one nite around midnight when I had a flat tire and my spare went flat. You might think it did this because we wer family, but I know he would have done this for anyone.

Horace was a shining example of how a Christian and an American should live. He willingly gave of himself, his time, his money, and ultimately his life to help others. When he saw someone in need; he didn’t wait for someone else to help; he didn’t say the government should help these people; he just helped them himself. Many Christians and Americans today have forgotten the lesson Horace taught us through his life.

Let us relearn the lessons of self reliance and helping others from the life of Horace Jarratt. He was an unsung American Hero and a true example of how Christ wants us all to live. Horace will be missed, not only by family members, but by the community at large.

If you wish, you may leave condolences for the family online.