Biography: Charles Carson Yarrington, Jr., 93, of Little Rock, died September 18, 2009. Born December 15, 1915 in Fayetteville, Arkansas the son of Charles and May Yarrington, he was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Nadean Riggs Yarrington and his sister, Eleanor Wessels of St. Louis, Missouri. He is survived by his daughter, Pat Torvesta(Bob) of Little Rock; his son, Dr. John Yarrington (Diane) of Houston, Texas; his sister, Edith Darley of Rochester, Minnesota; six grandchildren; Rick and Melanie Wyatt, Patrick, Julie, Christopher, Barbara, Ryan and Megan Yarrington; and four great- grandchildren. A mechanical engineer and graduate of the University of Arkansas, Chuck was a remarkable character and a creative thinker, who was full of curiosity, easy to talk to, inclusive and accepting. He never failed to delight and amuse those around him. While his career was in engineering and purchasing for Service Pipe Line (later British Petroleum) in Tulsa, he dabbled in his younger days in professional wrestling, lifted weights his entire life, built and refinished furniture, sang opera and cantatas, assembled the most technologically advanced high fidelity sound system of its time for his home and volunteered as an audio recorder for groups such as the Tulsa Boys Choir. He built a full-sized, motorized fiberglass car for John, covered a grand piano with Formica, and built a curved glass cabinet with inlayed patterned wood to hold Nadean’s cut glass and treasured silver service. He built and flew a glider. After retiring at 55 from the oil business, he and Nadean moved to Heber Springs, Arkansas, where he finished the interior work of the house he designed on Greers Ferry Lake. He opened a furniture refinishing shop and worked as a building inspector for an architectural firm in Little Rock before retiring for good. He and Nadean enjoyed their home overlooking the lake, and made many wonderful friends. To give his grandchildren easier access to the lake, he enlarged a small tunnel that led from the backyard cliff to the water below. Explosives were involved, but he suffered no consequences. Chuck and Nadean moved to Little Rock in 2002, and Nadean died in early 2006. Until recently, Chuck was seen faithfully working out each day at the UAMS Reynolds Institute on Aging Fitness Center. He loved being the senior statesman of fitness, and was an inspiration to patients and staff alike. Well-read, highly intelligent, Chuck was a character, a rebel and raconteur, known for his repertoire of jokes that were always delivered with perfect timing and with an uncanny relevance to whatever was the topic of conversation. His sense of humor endeared him to his nieces and nephews as well as to his many friends and family members. He was easily approachable, friendly, and could be counted on to come up with a novel idea or unusual perspective on any topic. Most of all, he and Nadean filled their home and their lives with music and this is the most lasting gift they have given their children. Few families of four sing four part harmony while driving in the car on a vacation! The family would like to recognize Melanie Smith (assisted by her sisters Cheryl and Rhonda), who tirelessly cared for “Mr. C.” as if he were their own father, making his last months more fun and comfortable. His physicians and the staff at the Reynolds Institute are also appreciated for their skill and special treatment and Arkansas Hospice was exceptional. A private remembrance service will be held. Memorials may be made to the Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, UAMS, 4301 W. Markham, Little Rock, AR., 72205. Cremation arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home. Online guest book, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.