LEWISTON-WOODVILLE – John Carlysle “Jake” Harrington, Jr., age 88, died Saturday, June 23, 2012 at Vidant Roanoke Chowan Hospital.

Mr. Harrington was born in Bertie County, a son of the late John Carlysle and Fannie Parker Harrington.  Blind from birth, Jake never let his visual disability stand in his way.  He attended Blind School in Raleigh where he learned independence.

He was a member of the local Lion’s Club and First Baptist Church of Lewiston.  He worked at Harrington Manufacturing, a company his grandfather and uncle started, and then later in life with the NC Commission for the Blind as part of the Blind Enterprise vending program where he worked until the age of 82.

To his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, he taught them the most important values are love and family.  The words that best described his values in life:  doing for others, a positive outlook, independence, hard work, plain spoken, stubborn, dedication, and overcoming obstacles.

Survivng is his wife, Betty Willis King Harrington of Durham; his daughters, Linda H. Norcross of Lewiston-Woodville, Bernice H. Harden of Merry Hill, and Denise H. Hoggard and husband, Don, of Elm Grove; a step son, Mike King of Durham; grandchildren, Chuck Norcross, Rennie Harrington-Jones, Carl Harrington, Danielle Greene, Jonathan Greene, Jessica Hoggard, and Brooke Hoggard; and great grandchildren, Donavan Norcross, Leah Harrington and Ella Mae Jones.

Mr. Harrington was married for 42 years to Doris Delbridge Harrington and was blessed with their four children.  After the death of Doris, he later married Ruth Partin Harrington.  Besides Doris and Ruth, he was predeceased by a son, John Thomas “Tommy” Harrington, and all of his siblings.

A celebration of life memorial service will be conducted on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 at 6:00 p.m., at Garrett-Jones Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Lloyd Dunlow officiating.  The family will accept visitors at the home of Linda Norcross, 113 East Church Street, Lewiston or the home of Denise Hoggard, 137 Jesse Hoggard Road, Colerain, and immediately following the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial donations be made to North Carolina Commission for the Blind, Greenville District, 404 St. Andrews Drive, Greenville, NC, 27834; Ahoskie Lions Club, c/o Mack Jones, P.O. Box 324, Ahoskie, NC 27910; or a charity of one’s choice.

Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.garrettjonesfh.com.