Larry Jarrett

WEDNESDAY, February 2nd, 2011, AT 9:45 PM/ PST

We Say Goodbye To A
GREAT MAN!
Larry Jarrett...
"LIONHEART"
Steve Fossum

Larry Jarrett was not just a Kickboxing Champion. Larry was a Father of four to Kaleb, Clayton, Jazmine and Jade, a husband to Pamela as well as a Firefighter, boxer and was also employed by the State of Tennessee Forestry Dept. in Campbell County.

Last Thursday, January 27, 2011, at U.T. Medical Center in Knoxville, Tennessee, the Kickboxing World lost this great fighter and friend, and also a Great Man from injuries of a tragic car accident. As a LaFollette Firefighter, it was Larry's own colleagues who arrived on the scene and tried to save him. To many he was Larry Jarrett, but to some of us here at the IKF, we will always remember him as a strong fighter that earned our nickname for him of "LionHeart!"

He was a member of the Foust Fight, a Golden Gloves Boxing Gym in Tennessee. However, long before he was in Tennessee Larry lived in Florida and was a proud member of "House of Pain", training under its owner Mike Hollobaugh. "The students loved him, he was passionate about what he did," said Hollobaugh, who has been running House of Pain with his wife, Vickie, since the 1970s. "It didn't matter who, what, when, what size, weight class -- Larry would teach them. He was really tough and students admired him. It was tough love. He taught them all about heart and desire. The students just looked up to him as a role model..

While training with the Hollobaughs Larry (40) won two Kickboxing World Titles (37-6-2 with 14 wins by KO). "A big chunk of the House of Pain just got torn way. It's been hard," Mike Hollobaugh said. "He's going to be greatly missed by everybody."

Jimmy Pack was Jarrett's Captain at the LaFollette Fire Department. Thursday night, the Campbell County Rescue Squad responded to the crash on Old Middlesboro Highway. Several fellow Firefighters are on that team said Pack. "It's a whole different world, when you are working on one of your own," says Pack. The Tennessee Highway Patrol says for an unknown reason Jarrett's car drove off the road, through a fence, taking down a utility pole. Pieces of his car still remain at the scene. The damaged fence is a reminder of what happened.

While training with the Hollobaugh's, Larry was a close friend and team mate of IKF Pro US Champion Erik Marshall. It was back on August 31st, 2002 at the Win-River Casino in Redding, California, that Marshall won his IKF Title. On that same night, Larry too had been scheduled to fight for the vacant IKF World Title in a much anticipated rematch against Anthony Bartanalli who he had already fought in a 10 round, non title bout "WAR" back on October 9th, 2001 in Phoenix, Arizona. The bout that earned Larry his IKF nickname, "Lionheart!"

Larry and Bartanalli were all matched up until just 2 weeks prior to the event when Bartanalli's trainer informed the IKF that Bartanalli was in a car accident and would not be able to fight due to injuries he sustained during the accident. The late notice left promoters Tim and Dan Stell scrambling to try and find a replacement for Larry which never came. The Stell's brought Larry out to California anyway and he and IKF Chief of Officials and retired Kickboxing Champion Dan Stell served up an exciting 2 round kickboxing exhibition for the crowd.

Larry had fought once before for the IKF during his career and it was another 10 round SlugFests against Dave Marinoble back on March 20th, 1999 in Vacaville, California.

On October 6th, 2007 in Louisville Gardens, Louisville, Kentucky, Larry celebrated one of his best Pro Boxing victories when he Knocked out undefeated (21-0) Bradley Williams of Louisville, Kentucky at 2:05 of the 4th round. Williams never fought again after the defeat.

A Husband, Father, Firefighter and Ring Fighter, Larry will be missed by so many yet always remembered here with the IKF

Rest in Peace Larry...
You are one of Gods Champions now...

June 30th, 1970 - January 27th, 2011

Online condolences may be made for Mr. Jarrrett at www.waltersfuneralhome.net

This video is dedicated to the life of Larry Jarrett.
Gone but not forgotten.

Larry after Beth Provett's son Robert was born February, 2008

The Following Photos Are From Erik Marshall's Facebook Page

This Was Handed Out At The Memorial For Larry...

In Loving Memory
Larry Eugene Jarrett
June 30, 1970 - January 27 , 2011

THE FIREMANS PRAYER ...

When I am called to duty , God, where ever flames may rage, give me the strength to save some life whatever be its age, help me embrace a little child before its to late,or save an older person from the horror of that fate. Enable me to be alert and hear the weakest shout and quickly and efficiently to put the fire out. I want to fill my calling and to give the best in me. To guard my every neighbor and protect his property. And if according to my fate I am to lose my life this day, please bless with your protecting hand my family this I pray.