John Allen "Jabo" Burrow

John Allen “Jabo” Burrow, 36, passed away on Sunday, August 30, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee.

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Jabo was larger than life and excelled in everything he pursued.

Born on November 20, 1989, in Birmingham, Alabama, Jabo was the son of Michael and Vivian Burrow and the brother of Heather, Michael, and Jackson Burrow. He grew up in Kimberly, Alabama, where he attended Snow Rogers Elementary School and graduated from Mortimer Jordan High School in 2008.

Jabo was larger than life and excelled in everything he pursued. A gifted athlete, he played multiple sports and distinguished himself in football as a two-time All-State honoree and two-time North Jefferson County Defensive Player of the Year. He was named Mr. Mortimer Jordan, was a member of the National Honor Society, and received the prestigious Bryant-Jordan Scholarship. Jabo ultimately earned a full scholarship to play football at Vanderbilt University, where he arrived in his gold 1999 Cadillac DeVille and graduated in 2012.

During his time at Vanderbilt, Jabo met his best friend and future wife, Brandi Byner Burrow. In Brandi, he found his match—a partner who could keep pace with his wit and sarcasm and give it back twice over. They married in 2017 and welcomed their daughter, Ivy Burrow, on December 5, 2019, followed by their son, Donovan Burrow, on March 14, 2023.

Jabo was much more than an athlete and coach. He befriended those who felt ostracized, brought laughter to people during their darkest moments, and was a light in the lives of many. Jabo was full of wit and had an ability to bring you to tears through laughter in one moment, and have deep meaningful conversations in the next. Jabo was an extremely gifted student, and continued learning through his life, always seeking to grow.

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In Brandi, he found his match—a partner who could keep pace with his wit and sarcasm and give it back twice over.

He had a special concern for those whose voices went unheard or who could not stand up for themselves. Throughout his life, he went out of his way to help others, offer a shoulder to cry on, and ensure that people who might otherwise have been pushed aside felt loved, welcomed, and included.

That same gentleness extended to the natural world. An accomplished and devoted gardener, Jabo worked tirelessly to transform his home into a habitat for native pollinators, insects, and other small creatures. He cared deeply for even the smallest forms of life and spent countless hours cultivating his garden.

Jabo dedicated many years to teaching and coaching. He served students and athletes at Nolensville High School in Nolensville, Tennessee; Ravenwood High School in Brentwood, Tennessee; and Florence High School in Florence, Alabama. Most recently, he worked as a special education teacher at Valor College Prep in Nashville, Tennessee. Through his work, Jabo shared his compassion, humor, and commitment to helping others recognize their worth and potential.

Jabo is survived by his loving wife, Brandi Byner Burrow of Antioch, TN; his daughter, Ivy Burrow; his son, Donovan Burrow; his parents, Michael and Vivian Burrow of Birmingham, AL; his sister, Heather Burrow and her wife, Sarah of Gulf Breeze, FL; his brother, Michael Burrow and his husband, Haden of Athens, AL; and his brother, Jackson Burrow and his wife, Madison of Birmingham, AL.

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He cared deeply for even the smallest forms of life and spent countless hours cultivating his garden.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 am on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, followed by a service celebrating Jabo’s life at 11:00am. Both will be held at Terrell Broady Funeral Home, 3855 Clarksville Pike, Nashville, Tennessee 37218.

The family is deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established to help with funeral and memorial expenses and to support Brandi, Ivy, and Donovan. Those wishing to contribute may visit the Jabo Burrow Memorial Fund on GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/138ceac47. Every contribution is sincerely appreciated.