James Louis Harrington

The service for Mr. Harrington will be live streamed on the Facebook Page of Fisher Memorial Funeral Parlor.

Today we honor the life and celebrate the homegoing of James L. Harrington also known as Jimmy who departed this life on November 8, 2020. He was born to the parents of Lelia and John Harrington in Moncure, North Carolina on July 25, 1930.

He was educated in the Durham City school system. The remainder of high school education was spent at Laurinburg Institute where he befriended the late Sam Jones and Dr. Kenneth Chambers. He played offensive and defensive positions in football as a guard.

He often talked affectionately about his military time and travel. At the age of seventeen he enlisted in the United States Army to serve in the Korean War. He served in the military for over three years with an honorable discharge on April 22, 1952 as Sergeant First Class E8 in the infantry. He was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for bravery and the Combat Infantry Badge which recognizes being fully participant under hostile conditions against enemy forces. He later joined the Army Reserve where he served for several years. 

He attended Durham Business College in Durham, North Carolina where he met his wife Edna Allen and through this union they had four children: Phyllis, Felecia, Cheryl, and James Jr. (Greta). They were married 67 years. He was a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service. After his retirement from the United States Postal Service, he was bus driver for Durham public school system. He had a special place in his heart for who he considered his special kids.

He enjoyed playing golf and bowling in his free time. He was a member of the Durham Chapter of the Commanders of the Right 33rd Degree Masons, Durham Consistory #218 32nd Degree Masons, Zafa Temple #176 Shriners, and Doric Lodge #28 Master Mason. He faithfully served as a member of the James E. Shepherd of Sertoma and served as past President, Sergeant-At-Arms, and was awarded Sertoman of the Year. Monday nights were special as he would be seen with the Hazel B. Plummer Bowling League and following football and basketball as a member of the NCCU Eagles Club. He was a dedicated member at Saint Joseph AME Church and sang with the Saint Joseph Men’s Chorus.

He was preceded in death by his daughter Cheryl Harrington, his brother George Harrington, and his cousin Joyce Armstead.

He is survived by his wife, Edna; three children, Phyllis, Felecia (James), James JR. (Greta); five  grandchildren: Nakia, Angela, Cheryl, Jamie, Amanda, nine great grandchildren, and a host of loving family and friends.

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