Obituary of James Jay Carrington

James Jay Carrington James Jay Carrington, 90, of Diamond Hill, Lynchburg, VA died Monday, August 2, 2021 at Centra Lynchburg General Hospital. Jim was born September 4, 1930 in Cortland, NY, the son of the late Kenneth Edward Carrington and Ruth Esther (Nye) Carrington. He was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Lynchburg. He is survived by two brothers, Douglas C. Carrington of Claremont, CA and William L. Carrington of Bend, OR; two nephews, Scott A. Carrington of Scottsdale, AZ and Britten M. Carrington of Bend, OR; two grandnieces, Sarah Ashley Carrington and Katie Annette Carrington of Scottsdale, AZ; a grandnephew, Liam Benjamin James Carrington of Bend, OR; numerous cousins, friends and neighbors; and his long-term partner, Robert E. Brown of Diamond Hill, Lynchburg. Carrington received his BS Degree in Education, magna cum laude, from State University of NY College at Cortland in 1953 and was employed by the General Electric Co. at Electronics Park, Syracuse, NY as a technical writer for mobile two-way radio products. During his five years in Syracuse, Jim designed scenery for the Syracuse Operetta Company and the Pompeian Players and directed several operettas. He sang in Gilbert & Sullivan productions, the Syracuse Chorale, the choir of Grace Episcopal Church and the GE Chorus. In January 1959, Carrington moved with GE's Mobile Radio Division to Lynchburg, VA and purchased a home on Timberlake. In 1967 he bought the Dr. James Morrison House which he and Brown restored on Diamond Hill. He retired from GE as a marketing specialist in 1990 and worked for L.M. Ericsson Co. as sales training manager until retirement in 1995. In Lynchburg, Jim has been active in little theater; served as baritone soloist at St. Paul's Episcopal Church; was a charter member of the Diamond Hill Historical Society (DHHS); served as president of the Lynchburg Historical Foundation, the DHHS, the Sarah Winston Henry Chapter of the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities and the Keep Lynchburg Beautiful Commission; and served as treasurer of Friends of the Lynchburg Public Library. He was a life member of DHHS and the Nye Family of America Association, a member of Sons of the American Revolution and the Connecticut Society of Genealogists, and a Mayflower descendant. Carrington studied voice with Ruth Dowd at SUNY and with Florence Vickland and Crane Caulder in Lynchburg. In 1973 he founded the Lynchburg Early Music Consort that presented concerts of medieval and renaissance music on reproductions of early instruments for many years. During those years, he taught recorder playing at Lynchburg College. He also founded two newsletters, View from the Terrace and the Diamond Hill News, and served as editor for both. Jim and his business partner, Robert E. Brown, formed Diamond Hill Associates to renovate old buildings in the Diamond Hill neighborhood and to provide decent housing for inner-city families of moderate income. They were active in founding the Diamond Hill Historical Society and obtaining historic district status and National Register listing for Diamond Hill. Both Bob and Jim have been preservationists and political activists supporting the revitalization of downtown Lynchburg. A graveside service will be held on Monday August 23rd at 1:30 P.M on the Nye family lot in the McLean cemetery McLean, NY. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 605 Clay Street, Lynchburg, VA 24504 or to CMTA (Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association), P.O. Box 105, Glenolden, PA 19036. Heritage Funeral Service and Crematory, 427 Graves Mill Road Lynchburg, VA (434) 239-2405 is assisting the family. Memories and thoughts may be shared with the family at www.heritagefuneralandcremation.com. The Wright-Beard Funeral Home will be assisting with local services. Thoughts and memories can also be shared with the family at www.Wright-beard.com.