Donald (Donny) Marion Jarrell, 73, a longtime Eastland resident, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, May 31, 2025. Funeral services are scheduled for Friday, June 6th at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church Eastland. A graveside service will take place on Saturday, June 7th at 11:00 a.m. at Lost Prairie Cemetery in Groesbeck, Texas. The family will receive visitors from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 5th at Edwards Funeral home in Eastland
Donny was born on February 22, 1952, in Tyler, Texas to Sharon LaNelle Keeling and Marion Ledbetter (M.L.) Jarrell. He was raised in Wortham, Texas and was a 1970 graduate of Wortham High School. He was a phenomenal athlete and played football, baseball, ran track, and played basketball. He still holds a record for scoring 52 points in one football game against Frost in 1969. After high school, he went on to play college football and baseball at New Mexico Highlands in Las Vegas, New Mexico.
He married Sara Eugenia (Gina) Sims on December 22, 1973, in Mexia, Texas. Donny and Gina were married for 51 years and had 3 daughters, Jennifer, Leigh, and Joanna. The Jarrell Five moved to Eastland, Texas in 1985. Donny worked for Gulf Pipeline Company, Chevron Pipeline Company, and ONEOK for a total of 38 years before retiring in 2017.
