Iron Resurrection’s Shag Pays Heartfelt Tribute to His Father: “He Wanted to Live to 100 So Bad"

Jayson “Shag” Arrington is an integral part of the team on Iron Resurrection, a reality TV show centered around the restoration of classic cars and motorcycles at Martin Bros Customs in Texas.

Shag plays a unique role on the show, standing out as the “deal maker” and negotiator. His primary responsibility is to track down vehicles for the team to restore, while handling much of the customer interactions and logistics.

His quick wit and energetic personality have earned him the nickname “Shag,” and he is often referred to as the “fastest mouth in the South.”

In September 2024, Shag from Iron Resurrection shared a heartfelt tribute to his late father, who passed away just shy of his 100th birthday. On what would have been his father’s centennial celebration, Shag posted a picture with the caption,

“Today would’ve been Papa Buddy’s 100th Birthday! He wanted to live to 100 so bad and missed it by 2 years, 3 months. He was the best and I miss him all the time❤️.” He also honored his father’s military service, tagging #army, #airforce, #ww2, and #veteran, acknowledging his father’s contribution to the country and expressing deep personal loss.

Shag Broke the sad news about his father’s passing on June 2022.

In June 2022, Shag from Iron Resurrection shared the sad news of his father’s passing, honoring his memory with a heartfelt post.

His father, US Army Air Corps/Army Tech Sergeant Harry Turner, affectionately known as “Papa Buddy,” passed away peacefully on June 10, 2022, at the age of 97, with Shag’s Aunt Suzy by his side.

Shag described his father as a “Wonderful, Phenomenal Man and True American Hero,” who served bravely during World War II.

Papa Buddy was part of the 3rd Army European Theater Operation, participating in key battles in Central Europe, Northern France, Ardennes, and Rhineland.

After the war in Europe ended, he was redeployed to the Pacific as part of the 8th Army Pacific Theater Operation to finish the fight with Japan.

Shag expressed his deep love and admiration for his father, reflecting on the special celebration of his 96th birthday, which saw an outpouring of cards, letters, and gifts. Shag mentioned how overwhelmed his father had been by the love shown and how much he missed him.

Joe Martin Paid Tribute to Shag’s Father.

Joe Martin, owner of Iron Resurrection and Shag’s colleague, paid tribute to Shag’s late father

“Papa Buddy was the kind of man who didn’t just live through history—he made it. You could see the strength and spirit in him every time Shag talked about him. Knowing what he went through during World War II, serving in the Army Air Corps and fighting in both the European and Pacific Theaters, you realize what a true hero he was. But what always struck me wasn’t just his incredible service; it was the way he touched the people around him, especially his family.

Shag’s dad wasn’t just a hero on the battlefield; he was a hero at home. He raised a man like Shag, who’s not just a great friend but someone who carries the values of hard work, respect, and dedication every day. The love and admiration Shag has for his dad were clear to all of us.

I know Shag misses him, but Papa Buddy’s legacy lives on, not just in the stories we hear but in the way Shag lives his life—honoring the values his dad passed down. We’re all grateful to have known a little piece of that legacy through Shag, and our hearts go out to him and his family. Papa Buddy may have missed his goal of 100 years by a little bit, but the impact he made in those 97 years is something that’ll last forever.”

More about Shag.

Shag was born Jayson Arrington in Texas and grew up with a strong interest in cars, largely influenced by his father, Bill Arrington, who worked as a US Air Force Staff Sergeant before opening a Texaco service station. From a young age, Shag would help his father in the garage, learning about cars and mechanics. His family’s passion for automobiles undoubtedly sparked his love for the automotive world. Despite this early exposure, Shag’s professional journey took some twists and turns before he became a reality TV star.

Before joining Iron Resurrection, Shag worked in various industries, primarily in marketing. His experience includes working for major brands like Red Bull, where he served as a field marketing manager. His outgoing nature and ability to connect with people helped him transition smoothly into this role. This marketing background equipped him with the skills to manage negotiations and customer relations at Martin Bros Customs, making him an invaluable asset to the show.

On Iron Resurrection, Shag’s role is different from the mechanics and fabricators like Joe Martin (the show’s head mechanic) and his brother Jason. While the rest of the team focuses on the technical aspects of car restoration, Shag’s primary responsibility is to track down and secure the vehicles they work on. He acts as the team’s “closer,” negotiating deals and ensuring that they acquire the best projects for restoration.

Shag also contributes significantly to the overall atmosphere of the show, known for his humor and larger-than-life personality, which adds levity to the intense work environment of car restoration. His negotiations often take him to various parts of Texas, meeting people and dealing with all kinds of car owners to bring in vehicles for the shop to transform.

Shag is married to Danielle Rae Davidson, and the couple has been together since their marriage on November 25, 1999. They have two children, Rayce and Zaine Arrington, and live in the Texas Hill Country. Despite his busy career, Shag is a devoted family man and often shares moments from his personal life on social media, giving fans a glimpse into his off-camera world

In addition to his television career, Shag has diverse interests and has ventured into various business initiatives. He is passionate about events marketing, grassroots initiatives, and sports marketing, and has previously worked as the spokesperson for companies like Waylens Inc. He is also a co-founder of YourBikerGang.com, a tour company in Austin, Texas, which offers electric minibike tours of the city. Shag’s interests extend beyond cars and motorcycles, making him a well-rounded personality both on and off the show.