PAUL CARRINGTON

1931 - 2021

CARRINGTON Paul D. Carrington Passed away on August 24, 2021 in Mitchellville, MD. His loving wife of 63 years, Bessie Meek Carrington, preceded him in death in 2016. Paul is survived by his children, Clark D. Carrington (Stanardsville, VA), Mary Carrington (Severna Park, MD), William J. Carrington (Bethesda, MD), and Emily Carrington (Friday Harbor, WA). "Buck" was also proud to be the grandfather of nine grandchildren and one great-grandson. Born in 1931, Paul Carrington was born and raised in Dallas and graduated from the University of Texas (1952) and the Harvard Law School (1955). He always said that marrying fellow Longhorn Bessie Meek was the smartest thing he ever did. After serving a tour in the Army, he commenced a career as a law professor that continued through 2014. He was a member of the law faculties at Wyoming, Indiana, Ohio State, Michigan, and finally Duke, where he worked for 36 years. He also held visiting appointments at many other American law schools (including Columbia, UCLA, Northwestern, SMU, and Texas), and he taught at five foreign universities. His children think that he could never have been so adventurous without their intrepid mother. His scholarly interests were deep and wide, and he authored seven books and over one hundred articles on topics such as civil procedure, contracts, and legal education. His work was supported by the Ford, Guggenheim, Luce, and Rockefeller foundations. As Dean of the Duke Law School from 1978 to 1988, he was instrumental in developing international connections for the school, especially in China and Japan, beginning in 1980 with the establishment of Nixon scholarships for Chinese students. He was an elected member of the American Law Institute and a fellow of the American Bar Foundation, the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, and the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers. His family will remember his generosity as a father - building a wiffle ball field in Ann Arbor, leading cross-country car trips in the station wagon, and reading books and playing games with his children and grandchildren. He did not like wide swings in emotion, either in himself or in his offspring - he often felt the need to prick enthusiastic bubbles, but he was also kind and supportive to those in distress. He enjoyed long walks on the beach and, as a true professor, he loved sharing yarns over dinner with family and friends. He had a soft spot for old friends, visiting them on his travels and organizing reunions. He was quick to share his beach house and his Duke basketball tickets with family and friends. Paul and Bessie had a long string of ill-mannered hounds, and each one knew where to look for treats under the table. Paul and Bessie moved from Durham, North Carolina to the Collington community in 2014 to be closer to family. As a widower Paul found a lovely companion in Bonnie Cronin, who shared his enthusiasm for plays, dance, and classical music. His children are grateful for the care and love that they shared in his last years. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Collington Foundation (10450 Lottsford Rd., Mitchellville, MD 20721) or the Paul D. Carrington Dean's Innovation Fund at Duke Law School, c/o Alumni & Development Records, Box 90581, Durham, NC 27708-0581, or at Duke's secure giving https://www.gifts.duke.edu/mem/Carrington Funeral services will be private.