John Harvey Ariail, Jr. ’64

John Harvey Ariail, Jr. ’64, a Northern Virginia attorney, businessman and real estate developer, philanthropist, and avid outdoorsman, died Jan. 20 at age 68 at Inova Fairfax Hospital due to heart failure. Ariail was born in Greenville, S.C., in 1942, son of John H. and Virginia Simpson Ariail. He received a B.A. from Davidson and graduated from the Law School of the University of Virginia, where he received his L.L.B. in 1967. Ariail served as a captain in the U.S. Army before being stationed with the CIA in Salzburg, Austria. Upon his return from Europe, he served as an assistant commonwealth’s attorney for Arlington County and joined the law firm of Smith, Harrison, & Ramsey, which later became Mays & Valentine. Ariail was also a member of the Arlington County Bar Association and served as president of that organization. With law partner W. Forbes Ramsey, he created the Sport and Health Clubs group in 1973, establishing the Arlington Y Tennis and Squash Club as the first of 24 health facilities in the Washington metropolitan area. Ariail developed many family real estate ventures with B.M. Smith & Associates, Inc., including the ongoing development at the Penrose Square complex on Columbia Pike in Arlington. Ariail also was a visionary and co-owner of Restaurant Eve in Alexandria, Va. He was co-owner of the Alexandria Times. Ariail will be remembered as a loyal and generous supporter of diverse organizations. He was an active participant in the Episcopal Church in Virginia, having been a member of St. Paul’s and Christ Church in Alexandria, and having served as a member of the vestry and as senior warden of Pohick Church in Lorton. He also served as a missionary to Tororo, Uganda, and as co-chair of the Diocese of Virginia’s Fifth Century Fund. Ariail was a former member of the boards of St. Stephen’s School in Alexandria, St. George’s School in Newport, R.I., Davidson College, and a founding board member of Flint Hill School in Oakton, Va. During the 1970s he served on the Virginia State Water Control Board, acting as chairman for two years. He was also a founding board member of the Menokin Foundation in Richmond County, Va., and of the Lorton Arts Foundation, where he recently completed eight years as chairman. Ariail served several times as chairman of the Goodwin House, Inc., retirement communities in Virginia. Most recently he was a leader in establishing Alexandria in Bloom, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the beautification of Old Town Alexandria. He will also be remembered for his steadfast support of individuals in need. Ariail is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Leslie Smith Ariail, 607 Cameron St., Alexandria, VA 22314-2505; daughter, Allison Erdle ’93 (Garrett W. Erdle); sons, John H. Ariail III ’97 (Kimberly Ariail) and J.E. Shreve Ariail ’98 (Anna Carrington Alvarez); three precious grandchildren; and two brothers, Robert M. Ariail and William F. Ariail. Ariail leaves behind many other loving and devoted family members and friends.