George W. Arrington

George W. Arrington, 88, of Canadian, passed away April 14, 2021 in Canadian.

Celebration of Life Graveside Services will be 2:00 PM Friday, April 23, 2021, at Edith Ford Memorial Cemetery in Canadian with Rev. Kyle Segars, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Canadian, officiating. Cremation and arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Canadian.

George was born January 26, 1933 in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas to French and Ollie Lake Arrington. He attended public schools in Canadian, grades one through nine, and graduated from high school at New Mexico Military Institute, Roswell, New Mexico in 1952. He was named to the NMMI Hall of Fame in 1997. After high school, George attended the University of Oklahoma, where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. He met and married Jane Coker from Edmond, OK on August 7, 1953. He received a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree with a major in finance and a business law minor in 1957. After college, George went to work for Cities Service Oil Company. He attended night law school at Tulsa University and Oklahoma City University receiving a Juris Doctor degree in 1966. He worked for Cities Service for ten years and then resigned his employment to become an independent in the oil and gas business in Canadian, Texas. He also became owner/operator of the Arrington family ranch in Hemphill County.
During his working life he was active in business, civic, government, charitable and church affairs. He was a dedicated member of the Republican Party and served on the Canadian City Council for 4 years and as Mayor of Canadian for 6 years. He was appointed by Governor Clements to serve as a director on the Texas Department of Aging from 1980 to 1986.

He served as president of the Panhandle Plains Historical Society in Canyon, TX from 1981-1982. He was then appointed by Governor Clements and re-appointed by Governor George W. Bush to serve on the Red River Authority of Texas board for 19 years from 1989-2008, serving as president of that board for 6 years. He has been a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church of Canadian and served as Elder, Palo Duro Union Presbytery Commissioner and Delegate to the General Assembly.

The family wishes to express their gratitude for all the prayers and kindness extended. Special thanks to Dr. Bill Isaacs, Hemphill County Hospital nurses and staff, Hemphill County Hospice, and Mesa View Assisted Living Director, Assistant Director, and staff.

He is preceded in death by his parents, French and Ollie Lake Arrington; his wife, Jane Coker Arrington; his sister, Ann Arrington Webb, and his twin brother, William Lake Arrington.

Survivors include a daughter, Cathy Stephens and husband Jeff of Edmond, Oklahoma; a daughter, Julie Culver and husband Bob Ed of Tahlequah, Oklahoma; a son, Mike Arrington and wife Debbie of Canadian, Texas; seven grandsons, a granddaughter, eleven great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews and other family members.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial be given to the Panhandle Plains Historical Society, Attn: Buster Ratliff, 2503 4th Ave., Canyon, TX 79015, Coffee Memorial Blood Center, Attn: Suzanne Talley, 7500 Wallace Blvd, Amarillo, Texas 79124 or a favorite charity.