Obituary of John Leslie Arrington, Jr.
John Leslie Arrington, Jr. was born October 15, 1931 in Pawhuska, Oklahoma to John Leslie Arrington, Sr. and Grace Louise (Moore) Arrington. John passed away surrounded by family on May 15, 2019 at the age of 87.
John graduated from The Lawrenceville School in 1949, Princeton University (Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude 1953), Harvard University (Juris Doctor, magma cum laude, 1956 Masters of Law 1957). Phi Beta Kappa, Harvard Law School Board of Student Advisors 1954-1956.
John was a partner and CEO of Arrington, Kihle, Gaberino and Dunn from 1957-1996. He was General Counsel of ONEOK, Inc. 1997-1998 and of counsel with GableGotwals from 1998 until 2019. He was Director of Woodland Bank from 1976-1994 and Chairman of the Board from 1979 until 1994.
He was a member of the American Bar Association, Tulsa County Bar Association (Outstanding Young Lawyer Award 1962, Treasurer 1963, President 1970, Presidents Award 1984, Neil Bogan Professionalism Award 1993). Oklahoma Bar Association Member [Legal Ethics Committee 1966-1996 (Chairman, 1971-1984)], Rules for Professional Conduct Commission 1977-1984, Outstanding Performance and Significant Contribution Award as Chairman of Legal Ethics Committee 1977), Professional Responsibility Commission 1977-1984, Distinguished Service Award 1984, Vice Chairman 1983-1984, Golden Gavel Award 1985, Presidents Award 1991, Masonic Award for Ethics 1995.
John’s civic contributions to the Tulsa community and his church were many. Past Warden, Vestryman and Chancellor of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Organizer and Board of Directors for Undercroft Montessori School, Board of Directors for the Family Mental Health Center 1982-1989, Tulsa Charity Horse Show Board of Directors 1973-1981, Holland Hall Trustee 1967-1979, Board of Directors Family and Children’s Services 1966-1985 and President in 1974, Board of Directors Tulsa County Legal Aid Society 1965-1970 and President from 1967-1970. He was also recognized by the Tulsa Jaycees as Outstanding Young Man Award in 1963.
Preceded in death by his parents, John is survived by his wife, Linda (Vance) Arrington; his children, Elizabeth, John, Winifred and Katherine; and Linda’s children; E.C., Clint, Eric and Linda Jr. and many grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, May 24 at St. John's Episcopal Church, 4200 S. Atlanta Ave, Tulsa, OK. He will be laid to rest in the Pawhuska City Cemetery in Pawhuska, OK.