Jim (Jack K) Arrington, of Terrell, Texas, passed away on November 17, 2015.Jim was born on December 2, 1922 in Dallas, Texas to Jack Arrington and Elizabeth Reynolds. After graduating from Sunset High School, like so many of the Greatest Generation, Jim went off to join the Navy where he served in World War II as a First Class Signalman on the USS Fieberling. A plaque in the Admiral Nimitz National Museum of War of the Pacific in Fredericksburg commemorates his battles and his narrow escape when a Japanese kamikaze pilot hit his ship. In the early 60’s, Jim and his brother Ray opened up Arrington Machinery, a machine tool distributorship in Dallas. At fifty-nine he retired to his Terrell area farm, “Poverty Flats,” an ironic tribute to a childhood in the Great Depression when he didn’t know when or if his next meal would come. Always a man of great organization and discipline, he dedicated himself to a new regimen: three days a week he golfed, three days a week he tended his cows and garden, and most evenings, according to his grandson Zach, he read “every spy novel known to man.” He enjoyed loading up friends and family with summer-time sacks full of fresh vegetables. Together Jim and his beloved wife Marie made international friends on their many trips to Europe and they golfed across Hawaii. They belonged to a bowling league and learned to dosey doe at a local square dancing group. Jim was also a 32nd degree Mason. Jim was a fair minded, honest, no nonsense type of man. His family will remember him for his many words of wisdom, one of their favorites being “You are the only one who can ruin your day.” Jim was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Raymond Arrington and Joe Arrington, and two grandchildren, Peter Ferri and John Ferri. Left to cherish his legacy is his wife, Helen Marie Arrington of Terrell, Texas; daughter, Laura Ferri of Overland Park, Kansas; son, Jack Arrington and wife Lael of Columbia, South Carolina; son, Joe Johnson and wife Mary of Hawkins, Texas; grandson, Zachary Arrington of Austin, Texas; grandson, Jim Ferri of Overland Park, Kansas; granddaughter, Cindy Biggs of Dallas, Texas; granddaughter, Tina Johnson of Austin, Texas; great-granddaughter, Kristen Biggs of Dallas, Texas; great grandson, Alan Biggs and wife Jordan of Dallas, Texas and good friend, “adopted” daughter, Kitty Roycroft and her children, Adriane Bacon, husband Sam; and Audrey Brewer and husband Robert and a host of extended family and friends who will miss him dearly.
Condolences may be left at www.andersonclaytonterrell.com.
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