Jamie "Jammer" Ferrell

James Glen Briant Ferrell, 46, was born in Des Moines, IA on March 12, 1976, and died peacefully in his Indianapolis home on February 9, 2023. Jammin’ Jamie Ferrell, or Jammer as he was affectionately called by most, was raised on the east side of Des Moines, Iowa. He attended Douglas Elementary, Hoyt Middle School, and East High School along with Central Campus. Several years after graduating, Jamie moved and made his home in the race car capital of the world, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Jamie was one of a kind. He was one of those people that just seemed to excel at everything he tried. However, those who knew him best knew that it was actually hard work and extreme dedication that transformed his raw talent into excellence. Jamie loved racing and creating and the mechanics of working at something until perfection was achieved.

From Legos in his bedroom to go kart national championships to airbrushing helmets in a paint booth he built in his garage to drone racing to competitive shooting to business owning…Jamie embraced the experiences life had to offer with open arms and an infectious enthusiasm. He is the winningest driver in the history of the International Kart Federation and has been inducted into the Midwest Speedway Kart Racing Hall of Fame. He has won 37 Duffies, 3 KART Triads, 11 Tulsa Golden Drillers and was an Indy Karting Series Spring Champion, Former Buller Factory Pilot, and Team Birel USA Factory Pilot. He built, owned, and operated a premier remote control (RC) track he named Turf Burners. He poured his heart and soul into building a community of racers, and Turf Burners was the fastest growing RC track in the nation. Every Saturday night you could find him on the livestream and his wife, Mikki, in the Fueling Station.

However, the real legacy of our Jammer goes far beyond the trophies and the accolades. Jamie was an amazing person. He brought adventure, humor, and a love of life to everyone he met. From adventures at East 39th and Hull growing up to stories of motorcycle injuries in high school to Saturday night shenanigans in downtown Indianapolis, our Jammer was at the center of so much joy and laughter.

Jamie was a deeply devoted father and dedicated husband. He is survived by his wife, Mikki Ferrell, who happens to also be his elementary girlfriend he met on the first day of kindergarten when they colored together. He is also survived by his girls, Kinley and Kora; his stepchildren, Kaleigh, Griffin, Camrin, Kalista, Riley, and Owen; his loving mother, Maggie Ferrell; his father and lifetime mechanic, Bill Ferrell; his two siblings, Andrea Panda Smith and Billy Ferrell (Tami Ferrell); and his nieces and nephews, Austin Ferrell and Zeb and Maelle Smith.

Jamie is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Betty and Bill Ferrell, and his maternal grandparents, Walter and Margaret Watson.

Jamie Ferrell simply doesn’t lose. But cancer doesn’t play by the rules. Cancer cheats. While we are all deeply mourning the loss of our Jammer, we also know that he never wanted cancer to be the headline. It was important to Jamie that he be remembered for all the fun and thrill he brought to our lives. So, next time you step on the gas…smile a little and think of Jammer.

A memorial gathering for Jammer will be held Saturday, March 11, 2023, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Crown Hill Funeral Home & Cemetery, 700 W. 38th St., Indianapolis, Indiana 46208, followed by a memorial service at 4:00 PM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.crownhill.org for the Ferrell family.