Burton Arrington

Burton Arrington, 88, resident of Whittier, CA, for 55 years, passed away after a short illness on May 14, 2012. Burt is survived by his four children, Brad, Wendy, Mitch, and Julie; ten grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his wife, Patsy, and eight siblings.Burton Arrington was born in Ogden, Utah, on April 26, 1924. As a middle child of seven living siblings, he spent his early childhood there and, upon moving to Salt Lake City, attended public schooling. A 1942 South High School graduate, he was a gifted trumpet player and was 2nd Lieutenant in their R.O.T.C. band. He and his brother, John, had by then formed the Arrington Bros. Swing Band of which Burt was the leader. They toured Utah and surrounding states successfully playing nightclubs and other venues. Burt joined the U.S. Navy on December 7, 1942. He served in the Pacific Theater as a radioman first class and was part of the Asiatic Pacific Campaign earning a Service Ribbon with four Bronze Battle Stars. He was attached to the United States Marine Corps for the invasion of Bougainville then served on the USS Williamson and the USS Karnes - Naval destroyers - assigned to seaplane tender duty. He was later assigned to the headquarters company of the communications battalion and, amongst others, the invasion of Okinawa was his final area of combat. Burt was honorably discharged in January of 1946.Burton Arrington fell under the mesmerizing spell of the spunky Patsy Ruth Marlor of Magna, Utah; they were married in 1948 till her death in 2003. He attended Benjamin Franklin University in Washington, D.C., and received his Masters Degree in Commercial Science in 1951. Continuing on with his studies, he passed the requirements in January 1954 to be accepted by California's State Board of Accounting entitling him to practice as a Certified Public Accountant. He found his work as a CPA quite stimulating most of the time and enjoyed practicing in Whittier throughout his professional career up till his death.A great community leader, for several years in the 1970s through the 1980s, Burt was a member of the L.A. County Commission on Obscenity and Pornography and spearheaded a community movement with the Greater Whittier Area Citizens for Decency through Law to banish Whittier's massage parlors and adult bookstores, focusing on those establishments situated close to elementary schools. There is now a lovely grassy walkway on the north side of Whittier Blvd. where many of those businesses were. He had also been active in the Whittier Lion's Club, as well as numerous other community organizations.An active, lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Burt held many church positions including scoutmaster, activities chairman, Bishop's counselor, financial clerk, employment specialist, and a host of other jobs. He was a ceaseless advocate for the youth and engaged them in many enriching activities at church through the decades. Burt brought much humor, especially these last years, as well as wisdom to a now much younger congregation. He will be sorely missed.Dad, Grandpa, Great-grandpa, Uncle, and dearest friend, our hearts are broken. We'll miss you and your continual upbeat personality. You always looked forward, never back. Your selflessness was unending, and your love for your family knew no bounds. We'll miss the light and laughter you brought to our lives. We'll always love you deeply... 'Carry on!' Flowers to White-Emerson Mortuary, Whittier, or donations may be made to the Union Rescue Mission P.O. Box 53629 Los Angeles, CA 90053-9983Funeral services Saturday, May 26, 2012, 11 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7906 Pickering Ave., Whittier, 90602