James Duncan "Jimmy" Arrington Sr. (1908–1957) was one of Mississippi's most beloved country editors, combining exceptional journalism, civic leadership and an infectious sense of humor during a career that made him one of the state's best-known weekly newspaper publishers.
A native of Hattiesburg, Arrington graduated from Millsaps College and the Jackson School of Law before establishing the Collins News-Commercial. Under his leadership, the newspaper became one of Mississippi's outstanding weekly publications, reflecting both his commitment to community journalism and his lively personality. His wife, the former Alyne Rogers of Collins, assisted him in editing the newspaper throughout much of his career.
Beyond Mississippi, Arrington earned national recognition as an after-dinner speaker and humorist. He also wrote a widely syndicated daily feature column and was renowned for never missing a deadline. Even while traveling across the country, he frequently dictated his column by telephone from distant cities. Shortly before suffering the fatal heart attack that claimed his life on Dec. 25, 1957, at the age of 49, he had visited his newspaper office and telephoned in his Christmas column.
His wit became legendary in newspaper circles. Faced with more important news than would fit on a single front page, Arrington once solved the problem by printing two complete front pages—front and back, including the nameplate and headlines. On another occasion, when a photograph of an exceptionally tall basketball player was too large for the page, he cropped the image at the waist, published the upper half on the front page, and humorously "continued" the lower half inside the newspaper.
Arrington's influence extended well beyond journalism. He served several terms as mayor of Collins, winning reelection without opposition in his final campaign. Active in Democratic politics, he served on the staff of Gov. Mike Conner and was the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in 1951. He was also active in Sigma Delta Chi, the national journalism fraternity, and the Jackson Press Club.
His peers recognized his leadership by electing him president of the Mississippi Press Association in 1948. At the time of his death, newspapers across the state remembered him as one of the acknowledged leaders of Mississippi's weekly newspaper industry—a publisher whose professionalism, dedication to deadlines, and unmistakable humor left an enduring mark on community journalism.
James Duncan "Jimmy" Arrington's career embodied the best traditions of Mississippi journalism: unwavering service to his readers, steadfast civic leadership, and the belief that even serious journalism could be enriched with warmth and wit. His legacy continues to exemplify the vital role community newspapers play in the life of Mississippi's towns and cities.
He was made an inaugrual member of the Mississippi Press Association Hall of Fame in 1986.
