James “Jimmy” W. Barrington, 80, of Cedar Creek, passed away in his sleep Friday, Feb. 4, 2022. Jimmy was born March 22, 1941, in Austin, to Rufus Urban and Mary Rebecca Barrington.
He attended Georgetown High School where he was very successful in football, playing fullback and many other positions. Jimmy loved football. When he wasn’t practicing, he and his brothers would tinker with cars and race them. Since he had lost his father at the age of 6, working as a young man was a must for the family to survive.
After his glory days in Georgetown, Jimmy decided to serve his country and join the Army. He was quick to become a mechanic due to his skills acquired with his brothers. Jim spent three years stationed in Bamberg, Germany.
Upon returning from his tour as a tank mechanic, Jimmy began working at a filling station pumping gas and fixing cars. His career as a metal lather working in and around the Austin area began shortly thereafter.
He met the love of his life at the Circleville Hoedown Dance Hall in November of 1962 and was engaged quickly to Elizabeth “Penny” Corene Ringstaff in January of 1963. They were married June 28, 1963, and started a family. Dancing was in his blood as they continued to cut-a-rug way into their 70s.
Jimmy and Penny lived in Austin until dad decided to build mom’s dreamhouse in 1992. With the help of family and friends, the house was completed in the spring of 1993, and they moved to their new home on 17 acres in Cedar Creek.
Jim was one of the nicest people anyone could have met. He was always helping neighbors and friends with any project that would come up. He never met a stranger and could strike up a conversation with anybody willing to listen. He will be greatly missed.
Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents, Rufus and Mary Barrington; brothers, Joe Ed Barrington and Donald Barrington; sister, Joyce Tittle; sister-in-law, Karen Barrington; brothers-in-law, Dan Mueller, William “WT” Dugger and Fred Pfeiffer.
Jimmy is survived by his wife, Elizabeth “Penny” Barrington; children, James (Kim) Barrington of Elgin, Brian Barrington of Dale, Stacey (David) Morin of Round Rock; sisters-in-law, Patsy (Sonny) Boatright, Gracy “Sissy” Pfeiffer, Edna Dugger and Ruth Barrington; grandchildren, Samantha (Adrian) Copper, Dylan Barrington, Mackenzie Barrington-Towers, David James “DJ” Morin, Brittany (Nathan) Wilkes and Mason Morin; great-grandchildren, Presley Wilkes, Cindy Lou Cooper and the first great-grandson son the way.
A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11, at Jonah Cemetery, 10870 SH-29 in Georgetown. A gathering will take place following the service at Thrall Fireman’s Hall, 201 Main St., Thrall.
