Rudolph “Mack” Arrington Sr.

Palmer resident Rudolph “Mack” Arrington Sr., 78, died May 30, 2012, peacefully at home, surrounded by his loved ones.

Memorial services in his honor are at 1 p.m., June 9 at Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel, 1015 S. Check St., Wasilla. Please join the family in remembering everyone whose lives he touched.

He was born March 4, 1934, in Bastrop, La. to Rastus and Ruth (Breazealle) Arrington. Mack — as family and friends knew him — proudly served our country in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged in 1954.

He married his wife Gloria on Sept. 15, 1956, and they moved to Alaska in 1962 and raised their six children.

He worked for Safeway as a meat cutter from 1962 to 1974. He started his own business, Mack’s Knife Store, in the early 1970s in Eagle River. He then bought a refuse business and named it Eagle River Refuse, which he owned and operated until he merged with Anchorage Refuse in 1979. He was the District Manager until he retired in 1996. He was very involved in his community. Mack enjoyed collecting knives and coins and going four-wheeling. His family was always the most important thing. He was a caregiver to his wife, Gloria for 11 years after she had a major stroke. He always gave his all to his family.

Preceding him in death was his wife Elizabeth “Gloria” Arrington; father, Rastus Arrington; mother, Ruth Gibbs; sister, Nell Gibbs; and daughter, Connie Millard.

Surviving are children, Rudolph Arrington Jr., Ralph Arrington, Trena Elliott, Ravi Arrington and Matrika Arrington; grandchildren, Nicolette Treider, Brandy Arrington, Chris Elliott, Jennifer Elliot and Tabitha Arrington; and great-grandchildren, Kelsey, Cameron, Devon, Madison, Nakya and D.J.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Arrangements entrusted to Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory of Wasilla.