John Thomas Arrington III

John Thomas Arrington, III, passed away after an extended illness on Sunday, November 27th, 2011. He was born in Cherokee County, AL on January 17th, 1928 to Chester and Lena Arrington. His youth was spent in the Piedmont, AL – Cedartown, GA area and as an adult he lived for many happy years in Troy, AL. He attended Jacksonville State University majoring in music and physics. He was a man of immense faith and love which he showed to his surviving children throughout their lives; Tom (Jane) Arrington of Mobile, AL; Suzanne (John) Holley of Lilburn, GA; Christy (David) Lawrence of Destin, FL; Richard (Alexandra) Arrington of Jacksonville, FL; and seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He is also survived by one sister Laura (JP) Whorton of Marietta, GA, and former spouse of 42 years, Margenia Casey O’Neal (mother of his children) of Destin, FL. He was preceded in death by sister Elizabeth (Carter Jones) Mitchell of Piedmont, AL, and brother Clayton (Jane) Arrington of Atlanta, GA.

Thomas had been president of Arrington Mining Company in Brundidge where he pioneered iron ore mining in south Alabama. He was a pilot, musician and sportsman with a love of tennis. He shared his faith as a Deacon of the First Baptist Church in Troy and also as a past director of music at Bush Memorial Baptist Church in Troy.

During his illness he demonstrated great courage in the face of Alzheimer’s and cancer. He never complained and was a gentleman until the very end.

Always a man of knowledge and compassion, he made an anatomical gift to the University Of South Alabama College Of Medicine. A memorial service will be held at a later date for the family. Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Alzheimer’s Association.