Obituary of Darrel Jay Arrington

Darrel Jay Arrington was born on July 24, 1949, in Mesa, Arizona, to Norman D. and Ardella Fay Hancock Arrington. He entered this world as one-half of a packaged pair with his identical mirror twin Dorrel Ray Arrington. Darrel was the first born of this dynamic-duo by 5 minutes. After bringing them home from the hospital, his parents realized something was not right with the twins. They were unable to suck from a bottle and cried all the time. Their parents were frantic to find an answer so many journeys were taken - Salt Lake City Children’s Hospital, Bell Memorial Hospital in Missouri and finally to the Lois Grunow Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona where a Dr. Stanford Hartman diagnosed them with Athetoid Cerebral Palsy and Profound Mental Disability. They were told they were not to live over three years old. However, they had never reckoned with a mother like Fay. She taught them to suck from a bottle, then eat mashed food. At 3 years old the twins entered the Arizona Children’s Colony due to severe seizures and need for 24 hour medical assistance. His family made weekly visits and attended church with him weekly.. During this time Darrel was able to meet and teach acceptance of those who are different to over 50,000 young men and women from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints who came each Sunday to give service and hugs. WHAT A LEGACY!

Darrel Jay was a fighter and lived to the age of 74, passing away August 9, 2023. He was preceded in death by his father Norman D. Arrington, mother Ardella Fay Hancock Arrington, twin brother Dorrel Ray Arrington, and Sister Darla Kay Arrington. He leaves behind his Sister Blinda Fay Arrington Mills, Brother Norman Duke Arrington, Step-brother Frank Burqwin Jr., Aunts Gertrude, Janet, and Joanne, Uncle Lloyd Hancock, 1 Niece, 4 Nephews and many Great Nieces and Nephews. He also left behind his loving care-givers and friends from Arizona Training Center (Randolph House) who showed him so much love and compassion through the years.