JAMES (JIMMY) GREGORY HARRINGTON
James (Jimmy) Gregory Harrington, age 53, passed away on November 8, 2017 in Jacksonville, FL. He was born on April 24, 1964 in Camp Lejeune, NC, the son of James Gardner Harrington, Jr. (deceased) and his mother, Carol Jean (Huber) Harrington of Neptune Beach.
Jimmy graduated from Fletcher high school in 1982 and then worked for eight years as a machinist at Stenner Pump. He changed jobs in 1989 and started his career at Orkin Lawn as a sales inspector. He had one goal: do not fail. He became successful very quickly, working his way up to branch manager. Jimmy has always had an entrepreneurial spirit and after seven years in the pest control industry, he felt the time was right to start Royal Pest Services, Inc. In February 1995, with a $5000 cash loan, a borrowed pickup truck and a whole lot of faith from his then fiancé Jennifer, Royal Pest Services was in business. Jimmy has been married to Jennifer for 21 Years – Jennifer calls it “a pest control love story.” Jimmy and Jennifer have 3 children, twin boys – Jordan and James (20) and Jenna (16). In 2007, Jennifer’s brother Rock Fliess, who at the time was a single dad, became ill and passed away. They then raised his 2 daughters, Joy (22) and Allie (20). His children were his pride and joy. Jimmy enjoyed traveling, gourmet cooking and was known to be a wine connoisseur.
Jimmy is survived by his loving wife, Jennifer Joyce (Fliess) Harrington; children, Jordan Gregory, James Richard, Jenna Marie, Joyce Marie Fliess and Allie Rose Fliess and one special puppy, Jessie who loved to snuggle with her daddy. He is also survived by his sisters, Lyn Martin-Oaks (Larry), Vicki Harrington; brothers, Mark Harrington (Paula), Steve Harrington, Mike Harrington (Shannon); 23 nephews and nieces and 10 great nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his brother in law, Rock Fliess; father in law, Richard “Dick” Fliess; mother in law, Joyce Fliess and his nephew, Mack Michael Harrington.
Memorial contributions may be made to University of South Carolina Relay For Life mail check to: 128 Stonemark Columbia, SC 29210 check memo: USC Relay for Life “James Harrington” or donate online http://main.acsevents.org/goto/jamesharrington and/or Community PedsCare, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Building 100 Jacksonville, FL 32257 memo “Harrington Family.”
Jimmy was a million times more than a dad, husband, son, boss, brother, uncle, and friend, he was a man who could make you laugh on your worst days, a man who taught you that you could do anything you dreamed you could, a man who would embarrass himself to no end just to put a smile on your face, and most importantly a man who dreamed big and trusted in the Lord. Welcome Home Jimmy!
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin, 11801 San Jose Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32223, www.hgmandarin.com, 904-288-0025.