Chester Harrell Barrington Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Chester Harrell Barrington was born June 8, 1939 in Kissimmee, Florida to Whitfield and Annie Greggs Barrington, III. He was one of their nine children. Growing up in a small town with a large family set the tone for his life. He joined Pine Grove Baptist Church in Kissimmee, Florida at a young age. Chester was a good child, his siblings do not recall him getting in the kind of trouble that led to whippings. Annie guided her children towards music, therefore Chester played the tuba, baritone and trumpet. He loved jazz, country and blues. We all have songs we associate with him. Chester embraced family, believed in hard work and loved his children. He was proud to hail from Kissimmee, Florida, but wanted to see more of the world. After graduating from Kissimmee High in 1957, his travels took him to college in Tallahassee at Florida A&M, where he played the tuba in the famous “Marching 100.” Lean, tall and handsome, Chester made the tuba look less imposing. He was a communicator. Whenever he was away from his family, Chester wrote letters. He wrote to his parents from college, he wrote back home when he lived in New York. When he was in the mood, he would engage in lively phone conversations. Chester had an aptitude for learning and enjoyed new challenges. After leaving FAMU, he served in the Army from July 9, 1958 - July 7, 1962. During his stint in the Army, he performed with the military band for President John F. Kennedy, playing the trumpet. He was honorably discharged as an SP4 from Ft. Sill, OK. He earned an Associates Degree from Jones Business College in 1968. He worked for TWA for 13 years in logistics. That role took he and his family to San Francisco. It was very fitting that a man so meticulous was in charge of parts that kept airplanes safe. Upon retiring from TWA, he worked as a Corrections Officer for the Osceola County Sheriff’s Department. Even with health concerns, Chester preferred to stay busy, so he drove a bus and a trolley. Imagine that deep voice of his, welcoming travelers on their journey. In 1975, Chester followed in the footsteps of his father and became a Mason. This is something that he shared with his brothers also. He enjoyed golf, bowling and would occasionally smoke a pipe. He appreciated chess as a thinking man’s game. Chester always wanted to know how things worked. Whether swinging a golf club, rolling a bowling ball or fixing his truck, he took a very analytical approach. As a father, he gave his children advice, but he respected their decisions - even if they made him scratch his head. He believed in listening before speaking. And when he spoke you knew he had given the matter proper reflection. He lived a respectful life, a simple life. He married twice; to Barbara in 1959 then to Priscilla in 1966. He wanted his family to be happy and Grandpa B delighted in his grandchildren. He took pride in their careers, graduations and accomplishments. Chester was a proud man; proud of the people he came from. Many times he answered the phone with a booming, "Barrington speaking." You knew when he said his last name that he was filled with pride. It was as if all you needed to know was that he was a Barrington. When he laughed or chuckled his eyes lit up, later in life the corners of his eyes would crinkle. You could hear amusement in his voice, you could hear resolve, you could hear strength and later on, you could hear weariness. In 1978 Chester returned to the home he purchased in Tangelo Park. Upon returning to Orlando, he joined Tangelo Baptist Church, where he briefly taught a Sunday School Class. He was not tech savvy, but for a man born in 1939, he made technology work for him. He ordered groceries and conducted his banking online. He knew how to look things up on the internet and how to stream programming on television. Chester was very appreciative of the time family spent with him; bringing food, making home repairs, getting his mail. He could be steadfast, but at times he would acquiesce. If you knew Chester, you knew a strong man, a generous man, a man who loved intently. Chester was preceded in death by his father and mother: Whitfield and Annie Barrington, III; brothers: Mancer, Sr. and Winfred, Sr.; and sister: Alice Barrington. He is survived by two sons: David Whitfield Barrington of Orlando, Florida and Andre' Harrell Barrington, Sr. (Myisha) of Hampton, Georgia; two daughters: Deborah Elaine Barrington (Sarah) of St. Petersburg, Florida and Floretta Elaine Riley (Dedrick) of Union City, Georgia; seven grandchildren: Nia Barrington of Orlando, Florida, Amber Barrington, Ashley Barrington, Andre' Barrington, Jr, and Alexander Barrington, all of Hampton Georgia, Kennedy Bartley of Union City, Georgia, Jalynn Riley of Birmingham, Alabama; two brothers; Whitfield Barrington, IV and Robert Barrington, Sr. (Mary) all of Orlando, Florida; four sisters: Dorothy Jean Stewart of Orlando, Florida, Valorye Flowers (Ernest) of Montgomery, Alabama, Saundra Johnson of Orlando, Florida and Charlotte Perry (Jarome) of Brantley, Georgia; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and sorrowing friends.

Tributes

Chester Harrell Barrington

June 8, 1939 - July 22, 2022