Terry Arrington Obituary

ERWIN - Terry Lynn Arrington, 73, Erwin, TN, died Friday, August 18, 2023, at the James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Mountain Home.

A native of Grundy, VA, Terry had been a resident of Erwin since 2012 and was the son of the late Gerald Monroe and Betty Jean Childress Arrington. He was of the Free Will Baptist faith.

Terry graduated from Grundy High School and then received a Bachelor of Social Work from East Tennessee State University in 1990. While at ETSU, he made the Dean's list and was inducted into Pi Gamma Mu, a chapter of the International Honor Society in Social Science.

He was a proud veteran of the United States Army, having served as a Unit Clerk and achieved the rank of Specialist. Terry's awards and decorations consists of the National Defense Service Medal, Expert Rifle badge for the M-16 and Expert Hand Grenade badge.

Terry also talked fondly of his experiences of running the Marine Corp Marathon, being a lifeguard at the Bristol YMCA, participating in Dale Carnegie trainings, and achieving top status in the Bill Phillips' Body for Life program.

Terry worked as a Private Investigator with Arrington, Shelin & Harrell, Attorneys at Law, PC prior to his early retirement due to disability.

He was a former performing member of the Jonesborough Storytellers Guild and a volunteer storyteller at Ballad Health. Prior to becoming a performing member, Terry was an avid support member for the guild. He loved telling stories to his friends at the Johnson City Adult Day Services and the Crumley House. Some of the highlights of Terry's storytelling career were when he performed at Tipton Haynes' Pumpkin Patch, the Christopher Taylor Cabin and the Swappin' Grounds during the National Storytelling Festivals. Terry was honored to be chosen as the 2017 Story Slam champion of the Mountain Makins Festival in Morristown.

In addition to his storytelling, Terry loved theatre and had participated in a number of theatre classes and productions at ETSU. He was pleased to have been in the film, The Lincoln Conspiracy (1977) as an extra and two student films, including The Gatherers.

Terry's favorite pastime was fishing, and he was an excellent chef. He loved cooking for others, target shooting and writing. A certified hypnotherapist, Terry had produced a number of cd's ranging from relaxation to cessation of smoking. His passion was helping others and his humble spirit was uplifting to many who crossed his path.

Terry is survived by two sisters, Sheri Diane Arrington Owens (and husband, Cory), Augusta, GA, Dawn Leigh Arrington Crouse (and husband, Michael), Knoxville, TN, several nieces, nephews, cousins and his best friend, Libby Street (and husband Richard), Flag Pond, TN. He was also fortunate to have his good friends, Homer Miller, Darrell Neese, Ed Patrick and Ronnie Tapp.

The Celebration of Life for Terry Arrington will be conducted Sunday, September 24, 2023, at 2:00 P.M., from the East Chapel of Appalachian Funeral Home, with Rev. Nathan Jennings, officiating, and Carrie Ford, vocalist.

The family will receive friends Sunday prior to the service from 12:30-2:00 P.M. in the East Parlor of the funeral home.

The graveside committal service will be held Monday, September 25, 2023, at 11:00 A.M., at the Historic Site of Mountain Home National Cemetery. Military honors will be accorded by the Veterans Honor Guard DAV 39. Those planning to attend are to meet at the cemetery by 10:50 A.M. Monday.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Terry's honor to the Jonesborough Storytellers Guild, P.O. Box 996, Jonesborough, TN 37659 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?frequency_selected=2&sjfaq-memorialdonation-text .

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.appfh.net.

Appalachian Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 800 E. Watauga Ave., Johnson City, TN 37601, is honored to serve the Arrington family. (423) 928-6111