Long-time disc jockey Jay Jarrell of Charleston died Thursday in Charleston Area Medical Center's Memorial Division after a long illness.  He was 59.  Jarrell, who worked for a long string of radio stations, began his career in Logan in 1952 at station WLOG.  He served as a DJ for the Armed Forces Radio Network in 1955 when he was in the Air Force and stationed in Japan.

During his stint at WKAZ from 1963 to 1973, Jarrell stole the hearts of Charleston's teen-agers as the station's ratings soared.  Known as WKAZ's "platter pushin' poppa,' Jarrell was known for such trademark phrases as "Well, all right now' and "Charge!'  For his weekly battle of the bands, a limousine escorted by Charleston Police would take him to the old Virginian Theater, where he would be greeted by hundreds of screaming fans. The bands would battle until midnight, and monster movies would follow. 

In 1965, Jarrell called the White House to protest U.S. involvement in Vietnam.  Jarrell, who had received mail from servicemen there, read the letters over the air to Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara.  Jarrell's boss disapproved and fired him.  But the DJ got his job back after angry fans lined the streets.  After leaving the station in 1969, he worked for WXIT in Charleston, WKLC in St. Albans and WWBB in his hometown of Madison.  

Following a heart attack in 1985, Jarrell gave up his radio career. 

A Charleston Daily Mail story that same year announced his plans to put together an album of his old radio shows. He heard from fans throughout the country.  At the time, Jarrell said, "I'm on cloud 10,000.  I've really had a blast.  I didn't know people still cared for me and still remembered me.  They do.'

Jarrell lost a long battle with heart problems and cancer on Thursday.  He died at 6:45 p.m.  His nephew, Rick Jarrell of Danville, was at his side.  Also surviving: brother Franklin D. Jarrell of Cooper, Texas, and several nieces and nephews.  Handley Funeral Home in Danville is in charge of arrangements.  Graveside services were to be held at 11 a.m. today at Jarrell's Branch Cemetery at Wharton with the Rev. Rick Jarrell officiating.  

The family suggests donations to Jarrell's Branch Cemetery Association, in care of Tom Price, Bim, WV, 25021.

from THE CHARLESTON DAILY MAIL,  May 27, 1995