James Gabriel Verrett

James Gabriel Verrett (Jai/Jim) died peacefully at his home in Monroe surrounded by family and friends after a long journey with cancer on Saturday, May 5, 2018.

Jai was born in Monroe, LA, on August 18, 1942, to James Verrett and Jessie Taylor Verrett. He was preceded in death by his father and by his brother, Wayne Verrett. He is survived by his wife Marsha McGee, mother Jessie Taylor McCormick, daughter Dona DelGado (Todd), son Jeff Verrett (Luisa), daughter Stephanie Strahan (Shane), and son David Verrett (Tracy). Surviving grandchildren are Jeffrey Verrett (Brittany), Derek Verrett (Ashley), Jared Verrett (Natashia), Chris Verrett, Kody Verrett, Hilary Brasher (Russ), Christina Boyd (Travis), Nick DelGado, and Jase DelGado. Great grandchildren are Brayden, Braxton, and Baylor Verrett, Nolan Verrett, Eliza Kathrynn Brasher, and Corbin and Chandler Beard. Brothers are Bob McCormick (Shelly) and Gary McCormick (Cheryl), and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jai had a wandering spirit in his youth and after military service and some time in college at NLU, lived in various places, including the Haight-Asbury area of San Francisco, before moving to Boulder, Colorado, where he found a spiritual home as a student of Chogyam Trungpa, Rinpoche, who introduced westerners to the teachings of Tibetan Buddhism. Jai later lived in different cities and worked in various jobs, including being a regional manager of a service company for the airline industry and then owning a lawn service after moving back to Monroe to marry Marsha and reconnect with family fifteen years ago.

Jai’s primary interest in life was matters of the spirit. He embraced both Buddhist and Christian teachings which focused on his beliefs that humanity is all one, each of us carries a divine light as the essence of ourselves, and our role here on this earth is to help ourselves and others to realize our own basic goodness. Cultivating loving kindness and compassion, gratitude, and the power of forgiveness to transform lives were the messages he left for others through his teachings about meditation and his conversations about the truth, the way, and the awakened life. He was a shining light for all who heard him. Jai had a depth of unprejudiced love and respect for all people that few achieve.

A special thanks to Dr. Scott Baron, to the staff of Louisiana Hospice, and to those who loved and cared for Jai and the family during his life and his final illness. You are much loved and appreciated and have all been true gifts from God.

A simple celebration of Jai’s life will be held for family and friends on Saturday, May 12, 2018, at New Iona Presbyterian Church (formerly Highland Presbyterian) in West Monroe. Visitation begins at 10:00 AM, followed by the service at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.

Online Registry/Condolences: www.mulhearnfuneralhome.com