Mr. James W. Harrell, Jr., better known as "Jaybird", 86, of Garden City, passed away quietly in his sleep on Monday, September 2, 2019 at his home.

He grew up in the area of Bull and Barnard Streets in Savannah and enjoyed hanging out at the Calvary Baptist Temple gym. While hanging out at the gym he enjoyed playing basketball with Troop 100 BSA's. He was a graduate of Commercial High School where he excelled in all sports. He was in the Georgia Sports hall of fame. He also enjoyed going to Camp Strachan on the river with the Boy Scout Troop. He enjoyed playing half-rubber, roller skating and bike riding. Jay served his country in the U.S. Marine Corp and the Georgia Air National Guard for nearly 30 years. He served on the Garden City Council as well as two terms as Mayor for a total of 30 years. During those years, he helped promote their recreation department and could be found coaching little league baseball and football.  He was part of building the football stadium behind Groves High School and served many years behind the microphone announcing high school football games.  After retiring from Gulfstream Aerospace, he often played his sport of choice, golf. For over 50 years he played with the Knights of Columbus blitz and the senior blitz at Bacon Park.  He was a member of the Lions Club and a Mason for over 50 years.  He was a member of the Garden City Baptist Church where he coached the lady's softball team for many years.  He taught his son to fish and he was a great DAD!

Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, Bill & Gail Harrell of Garden City; grandsons, Donald Brown of Augusta and Chris Brown of Waycross; brother and sister-in-law, Ray & Mary Harrell of Franklin, NC; sisters, Rebecca Pullin of Savannah and Sara Ryan of Savannah; sister-in-law, Diana Harrell of Inverness, FL; brother-in-law, Donald Holmes of Claxton and many nieces and nephews.

The visitation will be from 10 until 11 a.m. on Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at the Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Home in Pooler with the funeral to follow at 11 a.m. in the chapel of the funeral home.  Burial with military honors will follow at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens. Brother Kenny Harrelson will officiate, and the pallbearers will be Donald Brown, Chris Brown, Randy Thane, Hogan Pullin, Chris Ryan and Eddie Deloach.

Remembrances may be given to the Shriners Hospital for Children, Office of Development, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL  33607.