Richard "R.C." C. Arrington

Richard “R.C.” Arrington departed this life on Sunday, August 01, 2021. Richard was born on March 15, 1926 in Massillon, to the late Romie and Theresa (Blackmon) Arrington. He retired as Golf Coach of South Carolina State University. He enjoyed watching all sports, but excelled in golf, tennis, football, basketball and shooting pool. He was inducted into the Negro Old-timers Hall of Fame and the Amateur Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019. He served as a Staff Sargent in the U.S. Army during World War II. His athleticism started in the sixth grade when he was crowned marbles champion. As a Massillon Tiger Football player, he was labeled as fearless, quick and cunning, where he played offense and defense. His athletic prowess was also evident on the basketball court. Because of these attributes he was named the Most Outstanding Athlete in Ohio for Football and Basketball in his senior year of high school. He continued his athletic greatness at South Carolina State University, where he was named All-Conference team during his freshman year. He returned to his alma mater to serve as head golf coach and in 1998 was inducted into the South Carolina University Hall of Fame. At the induction ceremony it was announced that he “was the best all-around athlete that had played at the University in the last 50 years”. Richard is survived by his wife Ruby Arrington of the home, a sister, Mary (Scott) Christian; four daughters Meredith (Ashley Chung) Arrington of Rochester, New York, Renee Reynolds of Canton, OH, Cheryl (Billy) Martin of Massillon, OH and Vickie Carrington of Pickerington, OH and 1 son Richard(Arrington) Reynolds of Rochester, New York; grandchildren Damon Staples, Clarice (Monte) McGuire, Quiana Gulley, Tamia (CJ) Gulley, William (Lisa) Martin, Nicole (Preston) Martin, Ashley Chung, Hannah Chung, Cameron Chung, Jerry Carrington and Kamiko Carrington; 22 great-grandchildren; 8 great-great grandchildren; special nieces and nephews Rosalind Nesbitt, Sherry Wilson, Bonnie Harper, Larry (Marla) Harper, Valerie (Al) Lott, Randy (Phylis) Lowery, Scott Christian Jr., Tracy Harper, Denise (Jeff) Woodson, Jay and Kathy Harper and Cameron Harper;; Very Special Niece Reta Nesbett; special cousins John and Mary Blunt and a host of family and friends. Richard was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Larry Arrington and William “Fat Boy” Fanning. A Homegoing Celebration will be held at Shiloh Baptist Church on Saturday, August 07, 2021 at 11a.m. The family will receive friends from 10a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will follow the service at Oakwood Cemetery. The family of Richard “R.C.” Arrington wish to acknowledge with deep appreciation, the many expressions of love, concern, kindness, prayers and any form of comfort shown to them during their time of bereavement. As Daddy would say: “Love you and be blessed!” Messages of sympathy and support can be sent to www.paquelet.com Paquelet Funeral Home & Crematory - 330-833-3222