JD Arnold went to be with his Lord and Savior on February 7, 2019, 2 days before his 82nd birthday. He was the first of 3 children born to Reese and Flora Mae Arnold on February 5, 1937, on his grandparent's homestead in the rural community of Coal Pool, OK. JD married Donna Ring on August 21, 1976 in Salina, KS. He was a devoted husband to her until his death.
JD started first grade at the rural Stubbin Ranch School near Muskogee, OK. He grew up participating in Boy Scouts, fishing, delivering papers, and tinkering with cars and motors. He graduated from Haskell High School in 1955. That same year he started college and joined the Oklahoma National Guard, wherein he served for 8 years. JD received his undergraduate degree from Northeastern Oklahoma State University in Tahlequah, OK. He then went to work for Crescent Oil and Gas Company, followed by Amoco Production Co. for 28 years in Tulsa, Traverse City, MI, and Houston in its accounting and gas marketing departments until he retired in 1995.
Besides being active in every church he attended throughout his life, JD enjoyed woodworking (building cedar chests and cradles) and stained glass (lamp shades and art objects). Friends and family treasured the fruits of his hobbies. If he had one claim to fame, it was his love of helping others. After retirement, while he and Donna were full time "RV'ers", they participated in 19 projects with the national organization of NOMADS (Numerous Old Methodists Active in Divine Service), building, repairing, and refurbishing many Methodist facilities, camps, churches and colleges from Florida to California.
JD always loved the Lord. He grew up in the First Baptist Church in Haskell, OK where he was involved in youth activities and the music program. In 2006, he and Donna joined Marvin United Methodist Church in Tyler. At Marvin, JD and Donna became committed members of Pairs and Parents Sunday School class, the mission team and Marvin Menders serving faithfully his Church and the Lord's work by helping others less fortunate in the building, repairing and refurbishing of houses within Tyler, and by supporting survivors from human trafficking, substance abuse and natural disasters. He remained active in that selfless service until his death.
He was preceded in death by his parents Reese and Flora Mae Arnold and his brother Dale Arnold. JD is survived by his wife Donna Arnold; son Terry Arnold and wife Pam of Indianapolis, IN; daughter Taresa Arnold of Cary, NC; seven grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; sister Phyllis Funkhouser of Viam, OK; sister-in-law Elaine Arnold of Wayne, OK; brothers-in-law Richard Ring and wife Leslie of Tyler and Walter Ring and wife Karen of Rowlett.
Visitation will be February 8, 2019 at Lloyd-James Funeral Horne from 5 -7 p.m. After a family burial at Tyler Memorial Park Cemetery on Saturday, February 9, 2019, there will be a Memorial Service at the Tyler Marvin United Methodist Church sanctuary at 1:30 p.m., followed by a reception in Pirtle Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Marvin Menders c/o Marvin United Methodist 300 West Erwin St., Tyler, TX 75702.
