The family announces the transition to eternal peace of our beloved Ari Arri, on Feb. 3 in Los Angeles, Calif. Ari was born on Jan. 17, 1948, in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, to the late Hugo D. Jackson and Leonie Fredericks.
Ari was a man of many dimensions guided by energy, music, light and the universe. As an early teen, he developed a love for music, allowing him to master the flute, piccolo and drums. He was a music major in the music department and band at Charlotte Amalie High School.
He took part in different cultural and sporting events. Ari was a member of the Traditional Indians, Jesters Baseball Team, and CAHS Track Team, to name a few. He graduated from Charlotte Amalie High School in the Class of 1966. He attended Southern University as a music and education major on a track scholarship, becoming a member of the Southern University Marching Human Jukebox. While at Southern University, Ari changed the world of all HBCUs by introducing the melodic Virgin Islands Traditional Indian drumming style when he co-authored the cadence “Jack” with Instructor Don Dillon, which Southern University Band still plays as an entrance and exit cadence, and it is played to this day in some variation throughout the marching band culture. While at Southern University, he became a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., and he later became a charter member of the first Omega Psi Phi Chapter in the Virgin Islands. Along with several other fraternity brothers, they successfully applied and were able to charter the Zeta Xi Chapter on Aug. 15, 1976.
Ari then served his country in the United States Air Force, where he garnered the rank of sergeant while active in the Vietnam War. While serving his country, Ari participated in the military band, pursuing his passion for music which was continued when he decided to serve his community as a music educator for 20 years. He served as band director/instructor at the following schools: Toneskolen School of Music, Wayne Aspinall Junior High School, Charlotte Amalie High School, Bertha C. Boschulte Junior High School and the Department of Education Summer Band Programs. He later retired from Charlotte Amalie High School in 2000.
He paved the way for many local musicians, as he was instrumental in fostering the love of music and implementing said love in everyday life while being exactly what everyone needed at the time: a father, brother, friend, counselor, trainer and healer.
Ari was an avid sportsman and cultural ambassador who traveled in many facets representing the Virgin Islands. As a representation of our islands’ many talents, he played the sport he loved most with a passion — baseball. He played on many teams throughout his time, local teams including the Jesters and 40 Plus, and nationally, he made it to the Baltimore Orioles training camp and internationally he played with the Military Travel Baseball team. As an Olympic team trainer, he traveled to many different corners of the world, meeting many nationalities and cultures, bridging the gap between traditional and holistic therapy. He was also an ordained Rakhi master. He spent his retired years in Burbank, Calif., as an active mentor for many disabled veterans at the Sepulveda Veterans Medical Center.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Haneik Jackson-Briscoe; sister, Eurice Joseph; and Elcon Joseph and Hugo “Sunny” Joseph.
He is survived by his daughters: Chan Holder Arri, Sh’reen Arri, Asha Torres-Beazer, Choni Arri, Asi Torres, Chauni Arri and Zarii Arri; sons: Ha’neen Arri Sr. and Osei Torres Sr.; grandchildren: Bryson, Caleb, and Kendall Briscoe, Azia Benton, Azani Henley and Azai Zachery, Le’tavia Williams, J’ya and Jy’i Ottley, Ha’neen Arri Jr., Deondre, Devonte, Hakeem and N’kayi Arri, Arya Ashley, James Ashley IV, Alannah Lockhart, Arianna Anthony, Kashka and Amira Beazer, Osei Torres II and Avani Cooper; great grandchildren: Zayden and Alorah Henely, and N’Kai Arri; brothers: Alaric “Allah” Joseph and Senator Myron D. Jackson; sister, Reverend Dr. Sharon Jackson-McDonald; stepmother, Bernice Peterson-Jackson; brother-in-law, Reverend Dr. Gerald McDonald; sisters-in-law: Lavern Wells-Joseph and Ezra John; nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends too numerous to mention; extended families: the Bufford, Fredericks, Joseph, Williams, Wallace, Gerrard, Jackson, Petersen, Canton and Blyden clans.
However, as he always said: “Everything in Divine Order”
Arrangements are by Turnbull’s Funeral Home and Crematory Services
There will be a viewing on Friday, March 1, 4-5 p.m. followed by a family viewing from 5-7 p.m. at Blyden Memorial Chapel
There will be a public viewing on Saturday, March 2, at Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School Auditorium, 9-10 a.m.
Viewing 10 a.m. to noon – Homegoing Service, Interment will be at Western Cemetery No. 1.
The family will retire privately.
