Robert Lee Harrington, Jr.

With great sadness, we announce the passing of Robert Lee Harrington Jr., a loving husband, a cherished dad, grandaddy, son and brother, who passed away on February 12, 2025, at the age of 65.

 

Robert is survived by Linda, his wife of 36 years, his children, Leah Arnold (Josh) and Meg Mansfield (Heath), granddaughter, Cecelia Arnold and her brother to be born in August; his mother, Carol Meals Harrington, predeceased by his father, Dr. Robert Lee Harrington, Sr. (Bob); his siblings, Andrew Harrington (Angela) and Holly Duncan (Glenn) and many in-laws, nieces and nephews.

 

Robert was born on October 9, 1959, in Nashville, TN and was raised in Dyersburg, TN. He graduated from Dyersburg High School ('77), the University of Tennessee Knoxville (UT) ('82) with a degree in Business Management and the University of Tennessee Martin (UTM) ('86) with a degree in accounting. He was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. He had a long successful career as a CPA, with the last 15 years being the CFO at Malco Theatres Inc. He was beloved by his Malco family. In 2021, the Memphis Business Journal named him CFO of the year.

 

Robert first met Linda while attending UTM pursuing their accounting degrees. After they both independently moved to Memphis, their paths crossed again while studying together for the CPA exam. Two years later, they were married on December 3, 1988, and couldn't have been more compatible as soulmates.

 

Robert and Linda raised their two girls in Memphis. He set the standard for being the ultimate "girl dad" - Linda, Leah and Meg were his entire world. He was a true family man in every sense of the word. He was his girls biggest cheerleader, #1 fan and supporter through every phase of life; first to call to celebrate a success or to provide comfort during hard times. He would drop anything to be there for his girls. Anyone that they loved and cherished, he naturally would welcome them with open arms. His positivity, lightning wit and laughter are just a few things that his family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers loved about him. Robert never met a stranger. He loved his sons-in-law as his own, sharing many unforgettable memories with them. Seeing his daughter, Leah, become a mom was one of his greatest joys of this past year.

 

Outside of his family and church, there were many things Robert loved. Taking trips to the beach and the mountains brought him so much joy. Some of his best memories were made by spending time with his extended family for birthdays, holidays and family vacations. Listening to music was one of his favorite things to do, no matter where he was. He was a lover of sports of all kinds, especially being captain of his {digital) golf game. Just like his dad, he was the biggest Tennessee Vols fan you'd ever meet, a Vol For Life (VFL)! Growing up cheering on the Vols with his family and then carrying that legacy on through his own kids, was something he cherished. Some of his fondest memories were made while his daughters were in college at UT.

 

He was a spiritual leader to his family, serving in many capacities at Germantown Baptist Church when the girls were young. He became an active member of his church family at Grace Evangelical upon joining in 2007. Wednesday nights were his favorite. He lived his faith out daily by setting a Christ-like example to all whom he met. After being diagnosed with a progressive lung disease last April, Robert's faith never wavered. He approached each day with joy and never complained-what a testimony he left behind! Even on the hardest days with his lung disease, he treated those who were caring for him with such kindness and grace. Until the end, he fought hard for every breath, but had such peace knowing where he would spend eternity. It brings us great comfort to know that Robert is breathing without any pain or discomfort in the loving arms of his Savior, Jesus Christ, in Heaven.

 

His family will honor him with a memorial service at his church. A visitation will be held at Grace Evangelical Church (9750 Wolf River Blvd., Germantown, TN 38139) at 10:30 am on Saturday, February 22, 2025, with a service to follow at 12:00 p.m.

 

Flowers can be sent to Grace Evangelical Church. If you would like to make a memorial donation in lieu of flowers, Robert would be honored for those to be made to the church's Grace Venture Fund https://www.graceevan.org/onlinegiving.