He was a beloved family physician and St. Mary’s County community leader. Dr. James Patrick “Pat” Jarboe, 78, of St. Mary’s City died Sunday at his home. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 14, 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Brinsfield Funeral Home in Leonardtown, with prayers at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered Thursday, March 15 at 10 a.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Lexington Park.
Dr. Jarboe’s obituary said, “He led a life of Christian faith and service to others.” A St. Mary’s County native, he began his family practice in the county in 1960 and joined Shah Associates in 1990. His medical resume includes chief of staff at St. Mary’s Hospital, medical director of St. Mary’s Nursing Center and St. Mary’s Hospice; he was named State of Maryland Family Doctor of the Year in 1997.
In 1990 Dr. Jarboe along with his friend, dentist Dr. Martin barley, began annual medical missionary trips to Honduras and Guatemala, caring for those who did not have access to medical care. That same year he also founded Health Share of St. Mary’s, which provides free health care to county residents unable to afford it.
Dr. Jarboe’s community involvement resume is as long as his professional one, and includes two stints as county commissioner (elected in 1974 and appointed as president in 1986), chairman of the St. Mary’s County Chapter of the American Heart Association, president of Historic St. Mary’s City Foundation and board member of First National Bank of St. Mary’s.
Last July a new Shah Associates medical building on Buck Hewitt Road in California was named in his honor.
At Tuesday’s county commissioners’ meeting, President Francis “Jack” Russell said, “We lost an icon in St. Mary’s County.” Commissioner Todd Morgan said, “He was a deep, deep part of this community.” He added, “He made it better at the end of the day.”
For more information on Dr. Jarboe please see the attached obituary from the website of Brinsfield Funeral Home:
