Daniel George Arnold

George was born September 18, 1931, to Dr. Daniel G. and Mildred Arnold. He graduated from Bucyrus High School in 1949, and Miami University in 1953. Following his graduation from Miami, George entered the U.S. Air Force as an Aviation Cadet in October of 1953, and earned his pilot’s wings and 2nd Lt. Commission. He formed a “Miami Merger” in 1955 by marrying Margie Struble, a Bucyrus High School and Miami University classmate. George was then sent to Itazuke Air Force Base in Japan, where he flew missions and served from 1955 through 1957. Margie joined him in Japan, and they had their first child, Daniel George Arnold III, while living there.

Upon returning to Bucyrus, George had a short experience in the dairy cattle business that his father owned and then attended the Ohio State University College of Law. Just before starting his 2nd year of law school, his Air National Guard Unit in Mansfield (the 164th Fighter Squadron, which he had joined in 1958), was placed on active duty for a year. Following that, George accepted a position as a full-time flying instructor with the Mansfield Unit as a 1st Lieutenant, and worked his way up to full Colonel and Commander of the 179th Airlift Wing (the unit was changed from a fighter unit to a C-130 airlift unit in 1975). After a long career, George retired in 1986 as a full Colonel. During his 33-year Air Force/Air National Guard career, he accumulated over 7,500 flying hours in a variety of aircraft, including the Piper PA-18, T-6, T-28, T-33, F-80, F-84, F-86, F-100, and the C-130, with missions which took him to locations all over the world.

Following his flying career, for the next 15 years George served as Interim Director of United Way of Richland County (6 months), the Service/Safety Director for the city of Mansfield (4 years), and the Administrative Deputy to the Richland County Engineer (10.5 years). During his years in Mansfield, he served on many boards, committees, and commissions, and was a Trustee of the First Congregational Church, a board member at the Westbrook Country Club, a board member of the Richland County Foundation, and a member of the UW Administrative/Finance Committee.

In his spare time, George loved reading – both books and newspapers. Most of the time, you could see him in his comfy chair with a book in his hand and a snack at his side. He also enjoyed tennis in his earlier years, and golf in the later ones, even winning a senior tournament when he was in his 80’s.

George was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Mary, as well as his wife, Marjorie Struble Arnold.

He is survived by his three sons and one daughter: Dan and Kathy, and children Kacy and Danny; Scott and Barb, and their children Chris, Jill, and Michael; Tom and Ellie, and children, Davis, Mallory, Amelia, and Max; and Liz and John Hayde, and children John Michael, Patrick, Andrew, and Alex. He is also survived by a brother-in-law, Dr. Robert and Barbara Struble.

A Celebration of Life for George will be held later this year. If desired, memorial contributions can be made to the Malabar Farm Foundation, a place George treasured, at PO Box 551, Lucas, OH 44843.

Wappner Funeral Directors and Crematory-Ontario is honored to serve the family.