ROCKINGHAM – Mitchell “Jack” Arey, 79, of Rockingham, died Thursday Dec. 21, 2006 at FirstHealth Richmond Memorial Hospital.

He was a native of Rowan County, where he was born October 7, 1927, a son of the late Eli and Icy Arey. He was a retired State Trooper from the N.C. Highway Patrol with 25 years service. He was also a veteran of the armed forces and the National Guard. Mr. Arey was a member of Cartledge Creek Baptist Church of Rockingham where he had served as a Deacon. After retiring from law enforcement, he devoted his life to his loving wife, family and church family.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Fred Arey and three sisters, Rena Mae Stokes, Irene Morgan and Beda Lipe.

Surviving are his wife of 57 years, Lillie Arey; sisters, Doris Barringer and Thelma Ribelin of Gold Hill; son, Steve Arey and wife Debbie; daughters Nancy Raines and husband Darrell, Trisha Thames and husband Chuck and Cathy Shaw and husband Tommy all of Rockingham, and 10 grandchildren.

Service: Funeral Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Cartledge Creek Baptist Church of Rockingham with the Rev. David Crumpler officiating. Burial will follow at Richmond Memorial Park.

Visitation: The family will receive friends tonight from 6-8 p.m at Watson-King Funeral Home of Rockingham.

Memorials: Cartledge Creek Baptist Church, 152 Bed Hudson Road, Rockingham, NC 28379.

Watson-King Funeral Home is serving the Arey Family.