James Gilbert H Arrington

Jim was born to Grace Lois and George Floyd Arrington in Fayetteville, WV, December 21, 1928, the 8th of nine children. His family moved back to the Covington, VA area while he was an infant. It was there where he grew up until his parents died in the 1940’s. He oldest sister, Ruth invited him to come to California and live with her family until he finished high school in 1948.

He then enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served maintaining radio communication of Navy planes. He was assigned as part of a maintenance crew on two cruises: one in the Caribbean Sea and the other in the Mediterranean Sea. The Mediterranean Sea ship was the 6th fleet Flagship of Admiral Gardner. For a week General Eisenhower of N.A.T.O. was a guest of the Admiral observing fleet maintenance and flying to Belgrade to confer with Tito of Yugoslavia. Jim’s Navy experiences inspired him to further his education. Following discharge and after visiting his brother, Harold, who was a seminary student, Jim entered school in 1952.

With support from the G.I. Bill and God’s wonderful help, he finished college, with training as a classroom teacher. Jim began a teaching career in his hometown, and later moving to Northern Virginia teaching in Arlington, VA for 19 years and later at Yorktown High school until he retired in 1991.

In his words: “I testify that one can trust in our wonderful God to meet our needs as promised via our Lord Jesus Christ in whom we have everlasting life. In a very practical way He provided two wonderful, supporting wives; (Helen and Gretchen, and a daughter Grace) who encouraged and, in many ways, made possible the pursuance of a career through retirement.”

A Service Celebrating Jim’s life was held on September 30, 2022 Meredith Chapel, Sunnyside Community, in Harrisonburg, VA. Memorial Contributions may be made to:

Sunnyside Communities Fellowship Fund

c/o Sunnyside Communities Development Dept.

600 University Blvd. Ste. L

Harrisonburg, VA 22801