John Jarrard; Songwriter Composed Country Hits

John Jarrard, 47, a country music songwriter who had 11 No. 1 hits. Born in Gainsville, Ga., Jarrard was the son of a cotton mill laborer who conducted a choir. He began writing songs at home and moved to Nashville in 1977. At the time he was in an ongoing fight with diabetes, which cost him his eyesight over the next three years. But his difficult physical circumstances failed to slow his songwriting. With roots in traditional country and gospel, Jarrard turned out numerous hits for the group Alabama, including “There’s No Way,” and “You’ve Got the Touch.” Some of his more recent hits include “Blue Clear Sky,” by George Strait and “Is That a Tear?” by Tracy Lawrence. Jarrard continued writing through a series of health woes. His legs were amputated in 1997. On Feb. 1 in Nashville of complications from diabetes.