Park to honor memory of revered Beckley supporter

Dr. Thomas Warren Jarrett lived a rich, full life.
When he passed away on Oct. 22, 2023, Jarrett left behind loving family, friends and colleagues and a community blessed and strengthened by his presence — as well as a litany of professional and personal accomplishments achieved during a successful journey through life.
However, for the former Daniels orthodontist and longtime community leader, an impressive resume wasn't nearly as important as his friends and his community, Dr. Mike Kominsky, one of those friends, said Thursday.
"He was just the kind of guy that liked to do things under the cover of darkness," said Kominsky, who formed a friendship with Jarrett over the years based on a shared love of the outdoors, as well as gardening. "He didn't look for the accolades or didn't want to be honored for what he did.
"He was always instrumental in trying to beautify Beckley; Beckley was his passion."
"He was really into family and hometown, and he really wanted to see Beckley make it," Kominsky added. "He was a wealthy man, but his wealth was his friends, really. He always wanted to never lose touch. ... Friendship was everything to him."
Pete Torrico II — another Jarrett friend who helped Kominsky and others spearhead the creation of Tom Jarrett Memorial Park on Raleigh County Memorial Airport property in recent months under the auspices of the Beckley Area Foundation and in conjunction with Bob Runion and the airport authority — said the park is a fitting memorial to Jarrett in recognizing the impact he had on the Beckley area.
Torrico, a lifelong Beckley resident who had an enduring friendship with Jarrett, said he and Jarrett were simply "just good buddies."
According to Torrico, the first phase of the recent Beckley Area Foundation project has included upgrading a gravel lot at the Raleigh County Airport pond with paving, installation of a sturdy, bear-resistant trash can constructed by J & J Fabricating of Beckley, benches, a memorial plaque recognizing Jarrett's life, concrete work and a new handicap-accessible fishing pier. Also included in the effort has been the installation of a waterfall in the center of the pond.
The pond is a special regulation area supervised by the WVDNR Wildlife Resources Section. "This is a DNR-supervised pond," said Torrico. "They came in, lowered the lake, cleaned it out and got all the vegetation out." The DNR stocks the pond on a regular basis.
Phase 2 will include a shelter, which is in place but awaiting the placement of a metal roof. The site will eventually also include a 4-foot wide walking trail around the lake, said Torrico.
The park project was funded by an earmark (matched locally) from the BAF based on $250,000 gifted to the organization from Jarrett's will, which was matched quickly by the public. More money has been raised of late from family and friends for future work, said Carrico.
Torrico, who helped Jarrett form the popular Chili Night in Beckley, said the aim is to have the facility designated to be used for children, handicapped people and veterans for fishing. "Everything is handicap-accessible," he said.
Torrico stressed that an organization named SAW (Service and Witness), a group of retirees who build handicap ramps for free for people who can't afford them, built the 8-foot by 50-foot fishing pier and the shelter labor-free, with the locals providing the materials.
The project "kind of fit all of Tom's passions: fishing, flying, just outdoor conservation," said Kominsky, who added that Jarrett was "kind of just an infectious guy."
"We were kind of next-door neighbors," Kominsky added. "Our gardening brought us together. He had a little garden over at Glade Springs and I'd go over every spring and help him start it. He invited me to work with him. That was just our passion, gardening and just enjoying life, and hiking also."
In the future, wildflowers and some trees or shrubbery will be added to the project, Kominsky said.
The Tom Jarrett Memorial Park will be dedicated on June 27 from 2 to 4 p.m.
Dena Cushman, executive director of BAF, said it has been a worthy project for the organization and the community.
"It's one of our bigger projects that we've done, and we've been looking for bigger, impactful projects," she said. "Dr. Jarrett was one of our past board members and a friend, so that means a lot to the foundation to be able to do this in his honor.
"Also, it does help the people who want to use the park." She also said the project will benefit the airport as it serves as a successful beautification project.
Cushman said Jarrett's will provided $250,000 to the foundation with the stipulation that it be matched by the public. In addition to earmarking some of the funds for the memorial park project, the remaining funds are used to leverage more endowments, she explained.
Jarrett's children also created a fund in his name at the time of his passing.
For more information on the Thomas W. Jarrett Memorial Fund, which was established in memory of Jarrett by his children, or to explore starting a similar fund or leaving a legacy gift on behalf of a family member or friend, contact the BAF at 1210 South Kanawha St., Beckley, WV 25801, call BAF at 304-253-3806 or email info@bafwv.org.
A local fisherman, 25-year-old Brendon Mann, of Beckley, was among those fishing on Thursday from the new pier at the park. Mann, who has been wheelchair-bound since 2021, said he appreciates the improvements made to the park, saying it makes fishing easier for him.
"I love fishing," said Mann. "This pond has taught me patience. Because coming out fishing, you don't catch one every time. You just have to persevere through it. Come out when you want and when you can, and have a good time doing it and being in nature."
• • •
In 1977, Jarrett — a 1968 graduate of Greenbrier Military School who pursued his post-secondary education at WVU and St. Louis University — moved to Beckley and opened his orthodontic practice. According to his biographical information, he was an active member of the dental community and the Beckley area. He was a member of the American Dental Association and the WV Dental Association, as well as a member of the American Association of Orthodontics and past president of the WV Association of Orthodontics. Jarrett also served on the boards of the New River Dental Society and the Southern Association of Orthodontics, was a Diplomat of the International College of Dentists and a Diplomat of the American Board of Orthodontics. Besides that, he was on faculty at the WVU School of Dentistry in the orthodontics department for over 30 years.
Beyond the academics, he loved his community and wanted to see it flourish, friends recall. He was on the board of directors of Beckley Area Foundation, instrumental in building the YMCA Youth Soccer Complex, founder of Citizen Southern Bank, and developer of Brookshire Professional Park. He was also involved in starting FORWARD WV as an economic development tool. He was an originator of Chili Night, a volunteer for Mac's Toy Fund, involved in the Youth Museum, helped design the Peace Totem, started Foster's Hardware Restaurant, contributed to the F.O.L.K. project and Operation Backpack, as well as being an advocate and supporter of the Raleigh County Humane Society, according to the biographical information.
Both Torrico and Kominsky pointed this week to Jarrett's love of the outdoors and being in nature. He was appointed by the governor as a DNR commissioner. He loved to fish, hike, golf and bike. He was a founder of Glade Creek Trout Association, a champion golfer, a youth sport coach and a devoted father.

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