The Shadow
David Lee Arritt, Sr.
David Lee Arritt, Sr., 79, of Covington, died Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at his residence.
He was born March 13, 1947, in Washington D.C., a son of the late Albert B. Arritt, Sr. and Elizabeth Jean Ryder Arritt.
David graduated from Covington High School in 1965 and from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 1969. Following in the footsteps of his father and uncle, Hafford Lee “Doc” Arritt, Sr., he joined the family business and dedicated his career to Arritt Funeral Home. A passionate advocate for his profession, he served as President of the Virginia Funeral Directors Association, as a board member of the International Order of the Golden Rule, and was twice named VFDA Funeral Director of the Year. In 2019, he was honored with the “Golden License” for 50 years of dedicated service as a licensed funeral director. He also earned the professional designation of Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP).
Active in his community, David served as President of the Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce and was a longtime member of Covington Lodge #171 AF & AM and the Clifton Forge Shrine Club. He generously gave his time helping organize the Covington Christmas Parade for many years and was instrumental in establishing local car shows, including CarFest and the Douthat Lake Run Car Show.
Above all, David was a loving and devoted family man who cherished his role as husband, father, and PawPaw.
Survivors include his wife of more than 40 years, Betsy Baker Arritt; his daughter, Beth Arritt of Springfield; five sons, David Arritt, Jr (Dagney Wills), Barry Fridley; Mark Fridley (Tara Myers), Wesley Arritt (Mandy), and Jonathan Arritt (Mandy), all of Covington; twelve grandchildren, B.J. Fridley (Jamie), Kari Goodwin (Jordan), Jake Fridley, Kyle Arritt, Hunter Fridley, Anna Grace Arritt, Abbie Fridley, Lewis Fridley, Landon Arritt, Eva Arritt, Maddi Wheeler (Jace), and Reese Myers; six great-grandchildren, Allison, Briana, K.J., Sam, Nathan, and Oaklynn; his brother, Albert B. “Chipper” Arritt, Jr. (Linda) of Covington; one aunt, Carlene Gibson of Covington; one uncle, Hal Sharp (Ruby) of Covington; two nephews, Josh Arritt and Eric Thompson; two nieces, Emily Arritt and Beth Thompson Wood; several cousins, great-nieces, and nephews; and a host of colleagues and friends.
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at 1:00 PM in the chapel of Arritt Funeral Home with the Rev. Bill Gilliland officiating. Interment will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery.
The family will receive their friends on Monday evening from 6:00 to 7:00 PM at the funeral home.
Pallbearers will be B.J. Fridley, Jake Fridley, Kyle Arritt, Hunter Fridley, Landon Arritt, Josh Arritt, and Ray Keen, Jr.
The family asks that memorial contributions in David’s name be made to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or online at: https://www.stjude.org/give.html
