Obituaries

James Arlie Pennington

Photo of James Arlie Pennington
James Arlie Pennington, age 94, of Fayetteville, Ark., passed away Thursday Sept. 6, 2018. He was born Jan. 12, 1924 in Drake's Creek, Ark., to John and Myrtle Pennington. He was a shining example of the "greatest generation", one who lived through the deprivation of the Great Depression, defended our nation in World War II, and built America into a thriving society. Arlie was a self-made man. He literally built his life from the ground up. Arlie started Pennington Construction in Fayetteville after the war, where he went on to become one of the most reputable and well-respected home builders in all of Northwest Arkansas. Arlie's "stick built" homes (as he called them, since they were fully custom) were known for their high level of craftsmanship and quality. It was said by many realtors that "a Pennington home" rendered more worth and value. Arlie's success was built on how he treated people. He often said, "the customer is always right." Known for his humility, patience and integrity, Arlie would sometimes take a profit loss to ensure his customers were fully satisfied. A residence is where you build lives and Arlie didn't rest until each customer possessed not just a house but a home. Towards the end of his career, Arlie intentionally reduced his workload to one home a year to spend more time with his grandkids and family. If home is where the heart is, then seven hundred plus homes and buildings he crafted across Northwest Arkansas over almost fifty years are filled with a piece of him that lives on to welcome new generations of families. Arlie was a distinguished citizen of his country and community. He served in World War II in the US Army during a thirty-two-month deployment in the south seas. Arlie was a distinguished member of the National Association of Home Builders. He was President and lifetime member of Sertoma. He served on the Board of the Washington County Historical Society and was honored as one of their "Distinguished Citizens." He was a member of the Johnson Church of Christ. Arlie was preceded in death by his wife Thealda Broyles Pennington, married for 68 years. Arlie is survived by his daughter, Rowena Morrison and her husband Ronnie of Springdale, Ark.; one son, Ronald Pennington of Oklahoma and his wife Kay; one brother, Lee Pennington of Springdale; four grandchildren (Rochelle Hall and her husband Marcus; Ryan Morrison and his wife Jana; Reece Morrison and his wife Angie; and Cassie Pennington), ten great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Tuesday Sept. 11, 2018 at Moore's Chapel in Fayetteville. Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at Moore's Chapel with burial to follow in Farmington Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Habitat for Humanity of Washington County: https://habitatwashingtoncoar.org Or the Washington County Historical Society. To place an online tribute visit www.mooresfuneralchapel.com.

Published September 9, 2018

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