Earl David Warrington, lifelong farmer, businessman
Earl "Jake" David Warrington, 84, of Rehoboth Beach, passed away Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, at his residence in Rehoboth Beach, a property originally owned and inhabited by his grandparents 100 years ago. Earl was born Sept. 29, 1939, in Rehoboth Beach, son of the late Francis C. Warrington and Sarah Hazzard Warrington.
Jake, as everyone called him, was a lifelong Sussex County resident, a 1957 graduate of Lewes High School, and worked as a farmer his entire life. He also had many additional interests, which included co-developing and co-owning, and operating with his brother, Dutch, the Rehoboth Bay Mobile Home Park. Later, he was co-owner and operator of Midway Fuel Company.
He enjoyed woodworking and carpentry, trap-shooting, building and racing stock cars, and traveling to historic and natural beauty areas in his motor home. From childhood, he had an inquiring mind; he derived great satisfaction from learning to disassemble and fix things. He displayed remarkable patience and adaptability while figuring out how things worked, and how they might be repaired or even improved.
He was a dedicated member of Rehoboth Presbyterian Church of Midway, where he spent countless hours keeping the church in working order. He was active for many years in the various projects of the Henlopen Ruritan organization.
Jake was preceded in death by his wife in 2017, Marlyn Elizabeth Warrington; his brother, Francis (Dutch) Warrington; his sister-in-law, Gladys Warrington; his sister, Laura Joyce Hoge; and his step-grandson, Chad C. Long.
He is survived by his stepdaughter, Susan (Chris) Long of Lewes; his step-granddaughter, Stephanie (Trip) Wyatt; step-great-grandson, Donovan Wyatt; his sister, Elsie W. Gould of Lewes; his nieces, Louise (John) Short, Lynn Goff and Virginia Bishop; nephews, Butch (Theresa) Warrington, Sonny (Angie) Warrington, Richard Hoge and Andrew Hoge.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 28, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Hwy. Lewes, where a viewing will begin at 10 a.m. Burial will follow the services at Rehoboth Presbyterian Church of Midway Cemetery, Coastal Hwy., Rehoboth Beach.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Meals on Wheels Lewes-Rehoboth, 32409 Lewes Georgetown Hwy., Lewes, DE 19958; or Rehoboth Beach Vol. Fire Co. ambulance squad, 219 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.
Visit Jake's Life Memorial webpage and sign the tribute page at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
