Arrington, Donald Preston "D.P." 

GILMER -- Funeral services for Donald Preston "D.P." Arrington, 80, of Gilmer, 
will be held 10 a.m. Thursday, July 20, 2006, at Croley Funeral Home Chapel, 
with Bishop Tedd Austin and Dr. David L. Jenkins officiating. Military graveside 
services will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery of Upshur County, Texas. Mr. 
Arrington died Tuesday, July 18, 2006, in Tyler, Texas. Preston Arrington was 
born December 25, 1925, to Emery and Anna Lou Arrington. He attended grade 
school in Pritchett, Texas, and graduated from high school in Gladewater, Texas. 
He attended the University of Houston and served in the United States Navy 
during World War II. After being discharged from the U.S. Navy, he worked at 
several jobs in Alaska. He returned home, but soon had plans to go to Australia. 
He was riding on a bus one day, however, and met a young lady named Jean. His 
plans were soon changed, and they were married on April 28, 1947. During their 
marriage, they lived in Fort Worth, the Pasadena-Houston area, and California, 
but eventually settled in Colleyville, Texas, where he began his building 
contracting company. While in Colleyville, he served on the Colleyville City 
Council, the board of directors of the Grapevine National Bank, and sponsored 
several local and civic organizations. After residing in Colleyville for 25 
years, they retired to their home place, "The Farm," in East Texas, and there 
he especially enjoyed farming and ranching. He was preceded in death by his 
parents; brothers, Dellon B. Arrington, Jimmy Ray Arrington, Glynn Arrington, 
Maurice Arrington, and Rozell Arrington; and sisters, Fern Arrington Wallace 
and Marie Arrington Chittwood. He is survived by his wife, Geraldine "Jean" 
Arrington of Pritchett; sons, Robert Preston Arrington and Donald Paul Arrington, 
both of Pritchett, and William Larry Arrington of Dallas, Georgia; daughter, 
Cherre Lynne Arrington Watson of Athens, Texas; sister, Gracie White; grandchildren, 
Christina Davis, Ryah Clary, Shannon Robertson, Blake Watson, Jamie Arrington, 
Michael Arrington, and Abigail Arrington; great-grandchildren, Mason Davis, Coy 
Davis, Jolea Robertson, Haley Clary, and Jobey Arrington; and numerous nieces and 
nephews. Pallbearers will be Joe, Kenny, and Michael Arrington, Jack Dortch, 
Calvin Gosdin, Terry Lee Rutledge, Scott Tubb, and Blake Wilson. The family will 
receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday evening, July 19, 2006, at Croley Funeral 
Home in Gilmer.

Published in the Longview News-Journal on 7/19/2006