John H. Ariail Jr.

John Harvey Ariail, Jr., a Northern Virginia attorney, businessman and real estate developer, philanthropist and avid outdoorsman, died Thursday, January 20 at age 68 at Inova Fairfax Hospital, due to heart failure.

John Ariail was born in Greenville, S.C., in 1942, son of John H. and Virginia Simpson Ariail. He received a B.A. from Davidson College in North Carolina and graduated from the Law School of the University of Virginia, where he received his L.L.B. in 1967. Mr. Ariail served as a captain in the U.S. Army before being stationed with the CIA in Salzburg, Austria. Upon his return from Europe, he served as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney for Arlington County and joined the law firm of Smith, Harrison & Ramsey, which later became Mays & Valentine. Mr. Ariail was also a member of the Arlington County Bar Association and served as president of that organization. With law partner W. Forbes Ramsey, he created the Sport and Health Clubs group in 1973, establishing the Arlington Y Tennis & Squash Club as the first of 24 health facilities in the Washington metropolitan area. Mr. Ariail developed many family real estate ventures with B.M. Smith & Associates, Inc., including the ongoing development at the Penrose Square complex on Columbia Pike in Arlington. Mr. Ariail also was a visionary and co-owner of Restaurant Eve in Alexandria, Va. He was co-owner of the Alexandria Times.

Mr. Ariail will be remembered as a loyal and generous supporter of diverse organizations. He was an active participant in the Episcopal Church in Virginia, having been a member of St. Paul’s and Christ Church in Alexandria, and having served as a member of the Vestry and as Senior Warden of Pohick Church in Lorton. He also served as a missionary to Tororo, Uganda and as co-chair of the Diocese of Virginia’s Fifth Century Fund. Mr. Ariail was a former member of the boards of St. Stephen’s School in Alexandria, St. George’s School in Newport, R.I., Davidson College, and a founding board member of Flint Hill School in Oakton, Va. During the 1970’s he served on the Virginia State Water Control Board acting as Chairman for two years. He was also a founding board member of the Menokin Foundation in Richmond County, Va., and of the Lorton Arts Foundation, where he recently completed eight years as chairman. Mr. Ariail served several times as Chairman of the Goodwin House, Inc., retirement communities in Virginia. Most recently he was a leader in establishing Alexandria in Bloom, a non-profit organization dedicated to the beautification of Old Town Alexandria. He will also be remembered for his steadfast support of individuals in need.

Mr. Ariail was a member of the Metropolitan Club of Washington, the Anglers’ Club of New York, the Island Farm Duck Club in Warsaw, Va., and the Old Dominion Boat Club in Alexandria.

Mr. Ariail is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Leslie Smith Ariail of Alexandria; daughter Allison Erdle and son-in-law Garrett W. Erdle of Alexandria, son John H. Ariail III and daughter-in-law Kimberly Ariail of Alexandria, son J. E. Shreve Ariail and daughter-in-law Anna Carrington Alvarez of Brooklyn, NY; and three precious grandchildren. He is also survived by two brothers, Robert M. Ariail of Greenville, S.C., and William F. Ariail of York, Pa. Mr. Ariail leaves behind many other loving and devoted family members and friends.

John Ariail was larger than life; in death, he leaves a legacy of achievement, kindness and friendship that is remarkable for one man.