Larry Wayne Arnold

Larry Wayne Arnold (Sparky) beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend went home to meet his heavenly father on June 14, 2022. He was welcomed to heaven by his son, Larry Wayne Arnold, Jr. and a host of heavenly angels. His long years of suffering with cancer, COPD and other physical ailments were at an end. He was born on October 10, 1944 in Alexandria, LA.

Larry’s service to our country and being a veteran of the Vietnam War made him proud. His army buddies nicknamed him “Sparky” because of a tattoo of a spark plug on his right arm. Of course there were numerous other tattoos totaling 11 but some fading or removal with age. Sparky was courageous and as most soldiers in battle do, he prayed to God daily to keep him safe and his prayers were answered.

His tour in Vietnam ended and he arrived back into the United States through Fort Lewis Army Base in Washington State on October 22, 1968. He met his future wife, Maryland while visiting in Seattle. Three months later and on February 1, 1969, they were married in Maryland’s home church in Leavenworth, WA. While driving from Seattle to Leavenworth (over mountain passes containing many feet of snow), Larry made the decision that Washington State was not the place for him! When he was honorably discharged from the army in March 1969, back to Texas they came driving a U-Haul truck. Even though Maryland’s first impression of Texas was “the most God-forsaken place in America”, she soon called Texas her home.

After graduating with an associate’s degree in automotive technology, Larry continued his career as an automotive and/or diesel mechanic. He quickly became his Spring Oaks neighborhood mechanic and “go-to” person to borrow tools. He loved his friends on Seminole and Carla streets and lived at the same location for 52 years.

Larry’s love of fishing evenly matched his hunting experiences. When the first week of November came, his weekends were committed to sitting in a “deer blind” (with amenities) and stretching the 3-deer limit to the closing date in January. Whenever he had the opportunity during the rest of the year, he would visit Texas port cities (Freeport, Port Aransas, Port Arthur, Corpus Christi, etc.) and Texas lakes where he could fish from his boat. His second home was on Cedar Creek Lake. Patty and Larry, Jr. were his fishing companions. Maryland and Karrie had better things to do!

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Minnie Mae Arnold, brother, Michael, sisters, Laura and Sherrill, and most dearly his son, Larry Arnold, Jr. Most of his extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins also predeceased him. He is survived by his loving wife, Maryland, two children, Patty Arnold Brittingham and Karrie Arnold Gomez with husband, Ignacio Gomez; brother Robert Brooks, Jr. and wife Patty; sisters, Rebecca Brooks and Kelli Straight; grandchildren, Madelynn Earls, Brandon Gomez, and Michael Arnold; many cousins, nephews and nieces. All whom he loved deeply.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.roselawn-funerals.com for the Arnold family.