Jerry Lamar Arnold

Rest in Peace, US Marine, Special Forces, Staff Sergeant Jerry Lamar Arnold. You have overcome this world and are now with our FATHER in heaven. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. We will meet you by the river! He is preceded in death by parents Cleveland W. Arnold, Gertha Huggins Arnold, and brother James C. (Jimmy) Arnold.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory wife Katherine Sutton Arnold – Fruit Cove, Florida , sister Geneice Ivey- Jacksonville, Florida.

Daughters Diana -Fruit Cove, Florida and Kathy Arnold Ayers – Safe Harbor, Florida, sons Christopher Lamar Arnold (Dee Dee) , - Justin, Texas

and Jerry (Bubba) Arnold, Jr. – South Dakota, Stepson Nathan Behar -Fruit Cove, Florida, Step daughter Mary Norris (Roland)– Callahan, Florida.

Nieces Nancy Arnold Wood- Monticello, Georgia & Pamela J. Arnold-Columbus, Georgia, nephew James "Jim" C. Arnold Jr.-Waycross, Georgia, sister-in-law Shirley Arnold Fuller-Monticello, Georgia. grandchildren Chase Arnold, Daniel Arnold and Bethany Arnold – Justin, Texas.

Step grandchildren Jeremy Norris, Ryan Norris, Kali Norris, Kelci Norris. And his two beloved caregivers Tony and Laura Moon.

A Memorial Service will take place at 11:00 A.M., Friday, February 14, 2014 at Hardage-Giddens Hendricks Chapel.

Arrangements under the direction of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, Jacksonville, FL.

In Memory of Jerry Lamar Arnold

I remember back to 1956 when I was sitting at my desk at a plate glass window in Bibb City, Columbus,Ga, while working at Ga. Crown Dist. Co. in central bookkeeping. A young handsome little lad who looked to be about 7 to 8 years old with the cutest little impish smile and a twinkle that never left his eyes kept parading up and down the sidewalk and would wave at me. This would take place every evening and I thought he was the cutest little fella I had ever seen.

This went on for a couple of weeks and then I saw him walk by for several days with an older guy that looked like an All American Mr. Atlas!!! I thought to myself, this is the little boys daddy for I know someone that good looking has to be married .

Later I met Jim (which is another whole story) at the next door restaurant. Then again, later, here came Jim and Jerry, as Mom Arnold and Jerry had moved to Columbus from Panama City and was living with her sister only about 3 houses down the street which began a residential community.

When they came in, I’ll never forget it, Jerry said, see Jim I told you she was pretty. Wow, then my heart was won!! Of course I ask the connection and Jim said this is my little brother and I said, no way!! This is

your son for he looks so much like you. Jim said, no I am not old enough to have an 11 year old son. Of course I told him he looked about 6 and he could possibly have a child that age. It took quite a bit of convincing that Jim was not married and this indeed was his little brother and of course Mom Arnold confirmed it!!!

So, Jerry always said, I found her first and let Jim have her. He was so cute and we formed a bond in the very beginning that never was broken. I called him my little brother and he called me his other sister. Every summer for the next several years Jerry would come and spend the entire summer with us.

I will never forget the story Jim and Geneice would tell and I know Geneice can tell it much better than I, but it is so funny now but not then. They said Geneice was out back doing something and Jim told Jerry to take this bat and go hit her in the head and you know what - He Did!!! Knocked her coo coo for a few minutes and liked to have caused Mom to have a Heart Attach!! He adored Jim………..

Jerry, like his big brother Jim never met a stranger. When Jim was a baby I didn’t get up early and still don’t if I can help it, but one morning I got up and Jerry was not in the apt. and in a few minutes here he comes running in with the egg and bacon carton and said he got hungry, so he took the food down the street and ask our neighbor to cook him some breakfast. Bless her sweet soul, I don’t think I had ever met her before. I was so embarrassed and mad at him and probably threatened to tell Jim. Also , mother and dad had some chickens and laying hens in their back yard.. For years momma and daddy would talk about Jerry running those poor chickens to death. I don’t think the hen ever laid eggs again. He was busy, never idle and shooting his guns all dressed in his Cowboy Suit. I thought he would have been a Cowboy instead of a Vietnam Combat Hero!!!

He was there for Jim and Pam when they were babies and pretty grown up time Nancy came along. In fact he was married by then and had babies of his own. Jan stayed with us on and off a couple of times when Kathy was a baby and Jerry was serving his first tour in Vietnam. She taught me to make pan sizzled hamburgers which is still a favorite with my family.

I remember around 16 he visited us at Myrtle Beach when Jim was there in training for a new Finance Company he was working for.I was introduced to teen mania at an early age for me. We were a block from the beach & constantly bombarded by beautiful beach beauties . It was like some magnet was hitched to Jerry. Of course his big brother had to have a little talk about this….Bad examples for our little ones, all these girls everywhere might not be good for Bo (the baby boy)… Sorry, the talk didn’t do any good. All the Arnold Boys are Great Catches!!!! Guess I should know this!!!!

It wasn’t too much longer that he made the decision to go in the Marines , the same as his big brother chose to do at 18 . Jim said no, but Jerry the same as Jim didn’t listen!!!

He would come home from the war and always bring his family to visit us and when he told us he was going back for his 2nd term Jim & I both flipped out. Pam and Jim were in grade school by then and Nancy getting kindergarten age and they all adored him.

I begged him not to reenlist and these were his words: “I feel I have to go back for it is a bad place over there. Those people are killers and well trained for the job. I’ve been there and have learned all their tricks and know what to watch for. These young boys have no idea and have not been trained enough for this task and I feel like I can save a lot of our young boys lives by going back“. So back he went out of love for his country and fellow man. Of course things were worse when he came home the next time. Nancy and I are thinking he actually went 3 times in all, but twice for sure. I do know that he wanted to go back but the government said NO due to his health status. He was willing!!! He is my Hero , partly like my own and the “little brother” I never had. I have loved all his family from the first born to the last and all their mothers are a part of our lives that I will always cherish. Kathy, Bubba, Christopher and Diana, I love you and ask God to protect you always and Jan , Stephanie, Margie & Katherien I love each of you . My sister Geneice you have been the most wonderful family anyone could wish for & you have been mine for a special time on this earth. I Thank God for you. To the nieses & nephews who are mine and Jims children, Jim, Pam and Nancy, May God Bless you all and remember the sweet fellowship and lessons in life shared by and with your precious loved one who has left us a great Legacy to be proud of!!!

It was probably as wonderful as Heavenly Reunions get when our Beloved Mom Arnold and Big Brother Jim was there to welcome Jerry HOME along with Bill and other Family Members gone on before, watching and cheering with arms wide open in the very presence of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ!! What Joy!!

We all salute the United States Marine Corp and our Beloved Jerry Lamar Arnold who is one of the finest examples of what it exemplifies !!! SEMPER FI!! From your family who will always keep you close in our hearts!!

Written by: sister-in-law Shirley Arnold Fuller-Monticello, Georgia