Garry Thomas Yarrington, Sr.

A Life of Service and Heritage

Garry Thomas Yarrington, Sr. laid down his working tools and departed this life at the age of 85 following a long and courageous struggle with dementia.

Garry was born at Church and Home Hospital on January 5, 1940, to Robert Landon Yarrington, Sr. and Mattie Olivia Yarrington (née Howlett), who hailed from Shacklefords and Clay Bank, Gloucester, Virginia, respectively. He was one of seven siblings, growing up alongside Robert “Lanny” Landon Yarrington, Jr. (deceased), Betty Ann Thurston-Delloso, Dorothy Jean Yarrington (deceased), Brenda Lee Yarrington (deceased), Jerry Wayne Yarrington (deceased), and Buddy Martin Yarrington.

Representing the eighth generation of his family to be raised on the Chesapeake Bay, Garry came from a proud lineage of oystermen, farmers, and mariners whose ancestors arrived in Urbanna, Virginia, from Bristol, England in 1679. His grandfather, Virgil, was a merchant mariner and oysterman who operated his own boat out of his beds on the Bay. Following these traditions, Garry spent his youth working on a large family farm and subsistence fishing for rockfish, catfish, and white perch, as well as crabbing alongside his parents and siblings in their small family boat. Amidst his schoolwork and chores, he also found time to play high school football.

Garry accepted Christ early in his youth. On May 22, 1955, his parents watched with pride from the pews as he and his three siblings—Betty, Lanny, and Dorothy—were baptized by full immersion at a small, white, one-room church located just a stone's throw from the Bay.

Military Service

As a teenager, Garry felt a strong calling to serve in the armed forces, continuing a legacy of military service that spanned his family's history from the Revolutionary War through the Second World War. At just 17 years and one week old—underaged but carrying his mother’s blessing—he followed the footsteps of his uncle Archie and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Shortly after turning 18 and following a lengthy recovery from an illness at Bethesda Naval Hospital, Garry was deployed to the Pacific. He was assigned to the forward-deployed 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, Pacific Fleet Marine Force (FMFPAC). His overseas tours of duty took him to Naha, the White Beach Naval Facility, Camp Hansen Kin, and Camp Hansen Kuwae in Okinawa; U.S. Fleet Activities Sasebo in Kyushu, Japan; the British Crown Colony of Hong Kong; and participation in PHILBEX & FLEX ”Sea Turtle” in P’ohang, Republic of Korea, serving aboard several ATA/LPA amphibious assault vessels.

Professional Life and Community Impact

Upon returning home from his overseas service, Garry worked for a major shipyard on the Chesapeake before discovering his true calling as a professional firefighter. Throughout his long career, he saved numerous lives and delivered more than a couple of babies. He was also a licensed Master Plumber. A dedicated fraternal brother, Brother Garry became a Master Freemason in 1974 and maintained a deeply held affiliation with his fellow Masonic Travelers.

Shakespeare wrote that "the good is oft interred with their bones," but let that not be the case for Garry.

He possessed an innate desire to help those in need. He frequently stopped to assist stranded motorists and, while off duty, would routinely take charge of accident scenes to render critical aid until emergency services arrived. In his prime, he befriended local senior citizens and took them fishing, and he was always ready to drop everything to assist anyone facing misfortune. Even in the twilight of his life as he battled dementia, Garry’s spirit of perseverance, hope, and kindness never wavered; he continually comforted his fellow residents with a helping hand, a warm smile, or a reassuring hug.

Family and Legacy

Garry was married to Frances Elizabeth “Betsy” Laing (deceased). Together, they lived in the scenic, agricultural community of Norrisville, Maryland, where they raised three children: Garry Thomas Yarrington, Jr. (deceased), Michael Landon Yarrington (daughter-in-law Jeanette), and Jodie Louise Byrne (née Yarrington). He is survived by his four grandchildren: Tristan, Preston, Meghan, and Carissa.

Garry will be laid to rest next to his grandparents and generations of extended family at the Poroporone Baptist Church Cemetery in King and Queen County, Virginia—a region his family proudly called home for centuries.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you take a moment of silent prayer to offer gratitude to the Lord for life's blessings. When you feel the calling to help others, accept it without fear, and quietly do good for others in honor of Jesus Christ, just as Garry did throughout his beautiful life.