Jarrett Dodson Brack Jr., age 81, of Cedar Creek and Austin, Texas passed away on Saturday July 20, 2024. He was born on March 1, 1943, to Jarrett Dodson Brack Sr., and Wanda Elaine White in Velasco, Texas, and graduated from Brazosport High School, Class of 1961.
In February 1962, he joined the United States Navy and completed boot camp in San Diego, CA. After Air Technical Training in Memphis, he spent 18 months in Guam, as an Electronics Technician Airman. During Vietnam, he was stationed aboard the U.S.S. Oriskany with Attack Squadron 163.
After being honorably discharged from the Navy in October 1966, he started his collegiate education as an electrical engineer, but quickly changed his focus to programming. He graduated from The University of Texas at Austin in May 1977 with a Degree in Math and minor in Computer Science, the highest level of education for computer science at that time.
Jarrett began as a Programmer for the Health Department in Austin but spent most of his career at the Texas Education Agency, eventually advancing to the position of Director of Information Systems, managing computer engineering projects throughout the State. Jarrett and his team built the first internet program for teachers in Texas to receive teaching licenses, streamlining a months-long process down to a few weeks.
Jarrett enjoyed living away from the city and was always a tinkerer. He amassed an impressive collection of practical tools and doodads over the years, always ready and waiting for a house calamity to fix and repair. As someone who could work well with his hands, he was known for the phrase, “Don’t force it,” and emphasized the importance of doing a job right the first time. An amateur contractor, he completed many projects, building tool sheds, work benches, picnic tables, enclosed patios, pool decks, treehouses, and rope swings. His substantial wind chime collection is known throughout the universe, with varying levels of approval.
Later in life Jarrett spent thousands of hours playing the game World of Warcraft, a video game his eldest son worked on for more than a decade. With his guild he completed some of the most challenging content and established himself as a constant presence ready to help, day or night. Many thought of him as the “Guild Dad”.
He is survived by his wife of 28 years Carolyn Ann Brack, and her son Troy Michael Knight; his first wife Judy Boudreaux Brack, and their sons J. Allen Brack and Peter Joseph Brack; and his sister Roxanna Leonard.
Carolyn had the following to say - ‘Jarrett was a wonderful husband and father. Our sons were brought up by the best. He was proud of them and what they have become. That was his gift to our sons - He was my heart.’
Jarrett was a kindhearted person with a generous spirit, he will be missed by us all.
The family has asked in lieu of flowers please donate to the Lewy Body Dementia Association at https://lbda.org/donate/ or the American Cancer Society at https://donate.cancer.org/.
A visitation for Jarrett will be held Thursday, July 25, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 6300 West William Cannon Drive, Austin, Texas 78749. A funeral service will occur Friday, July 26, 2024 at 11:00 AM, 6300 West William Cannon Drive, Austin, Texas 78749. A graveside service will occur Friday, July 26, 2024 at 12:00 PM at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Memorial Park, 6300 West William Cannon Drive, Austin, Texas 78749.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.11.3