June 25, 1932-May 13, 2016
Service: 2 p.m. Monday, May 16, Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home, El Dorado Springs. Burial: El Dorado Springs City Cemetery.
Mr. Arnold, 83, El Dorado Springs, died Friday, May 13, at Citizen’s Memorial Hospital, Bolivar. He was born June 25, 1932, in LaGrange, Wyoming, to Cletis Elton and Anna (Dickson) Arnold.
After he graduated high school, the family moved near Montevallo. He met and married Lois. He was a crop insurance adjuster. In later years, he drove the Community Springs transport van and a school bus for the El Dorado Springs school as long as health allowed.
He moved into the Community Springs Care Center in February 2013. He became their postman, delivering mail to residents on mail days.
He was saved in LaGrange, Wyoming, when a teenager, and was a lifelong member of Glade Springs Missionary Baptist Church, attending church faithfully as long as health allowed. He belonged to the Lions Club, serving as club president. He served several years as a 4-H leader and helped organize the Olympia Volunteer Fire Department.
Survivors include four children, Rebecca Gazaway and husband Galen of Nevada, Clayton Arnold and wife Charlotte of Walker, Marlene Payne and husband Stuart of Webb City and Karen Pate and husband Jack of El Dorado Springs; five grandchildren, David Arnold and wife Stephanie, Adam Arnold and wife Angela, Amanda Lewton and husband Cliff, Megan Jones and husband Jeremiah and Blake Gazaway and wife Cassandra; six great-grandchildren, Tackett Arnold, Gideon Jones, Seth Lewton, Soren Jones, Abel Lewton and Alyssa Gazaway; two step-great-grandchildren, Gracie and Trooper Baker; two brothers, Alan and Herman Arnold; two sisters, Ruth Barnard and Sherry Miller; and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Cletis and Anna Arnold; his wife, Lois, Feb. 22, 2013; a sister, Wilda Taylor; and a grandson, Matthew Arnold.
Brothers Everett Smith and Keith Irvin officiated. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Lions Club International and left at the funeral home. Online condolences can be made at
www.blandhackleman.com.
