Col. Marion Rayde Harrington, USAF

Col. Marion Rayde Harrington, USAF Retired, 80, died Sunday, February 1, 2026, at home in Greenville, North Carolina. His memorial service will be conducted on Saturday, February 7, at 3:00 pm in the Mausoleum at Pinewood Memorial Park in Greenville, NC, preceded by visitation from 2:00 to 3:00 pm.

Rayde, son of William (Bill) Harrington and Margaret Nunery Harrington, was born on July 19, 1945. He attended Greenville City Schools and graduated from Junius H. Rose High School in 1963. On July 16, 1965, Rayde married the former Carolyn Jo Harris. He received a bachelor's degree in chemistry from East Carolina University in 1967 and was commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps in the same year. Rayde earned a master's degree in business management from Central Michigan University in 1977.

His first USAF assignment was at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, Goldsboro, NC, as Base Fuels Management Officer, and later he was assigned to the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing at Da Nang Air Base, Republic of Vietnam. Other assignments were at the Directorate of Aerospace Fuels' Technical Assistance Team at the San Antonio Air Logistics Center, TX; Defense Fuel Supply Center at Cameron Station, VA; Air Force Office of Scientific Research at Bolling Air Force Base, District of Columbia; Tactical Air Command at Langley Air Force Base, VA; the Logistics Directorate Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon; and the Fuels Policy Directorate of Supply and Logistics at the Pentagon.

Rayde was a devout Christian, accepting Jesus as his Lord and Savior as a young boy. He previously was a member of Saint Paul Pentecostal Holiness Church, Dale City Baptist Church, Liberty Baptist Church, Riverview Baptist Church, and most recently Oakmont Baptist Church. Over the years, he served his Lord as a Sunday School Teacher, Director of Sunday School, and Deacon. "Well done, good and faithful servant." (Matthew 25:23)

Rayde was a loving and devoted husband, a wonderful, giving father and grandfather, and a kind friend to many. He demonstrated sacrificial love in all aspects of his life and served his Heavenly Father, family, and country so well. There could never be another man who loved and cared for his wife and family more. He found special joy in having four cherished grandsons. He was so proud of them all and built a special relationship with each one of them.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Carolyn; daughters Sheri Lynn Matthews (Alan) of Chocowinity, NC, and Christy Harrington Bowling (Rusty) of Manassas, VA; grandsons Luke Matthews, Gabe Matthews, David Bowling, and Jason Bowling; brothers Ricky Thomas Harrington (Suzanna) of Mebane, NC and William David Harrington of Greenville, NC; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Rayde was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Margaret Harrington, and sister-in-law, Gail Fleck Harrington.

We wish to express special thanks and recognition to a special friend, Ben Irons, Rayde's brothers in Christ at the Greenville NC Men's Community Bible Study, his compassionate ECU oncologist, Dr. Musharraf Navaid, and the caring doctors, nurses, and staff of ECU and Duke Cancer Centers.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to Greenville NC Men's Community Bible Study, c/o Bill Watson, 108 Christenbury Drive, Greenville, NC 27858. Please make checks payable to Greenville Men's CBS with Rayde on the subject line.

Arrangements by Wilkerson Funeral Home & Crematory. Online condolences at www.wilkersonfuneralhome.com.