Jeffrey J. Arnold

Jeffrey J. Arnold, 45, of Fort Smith passed away Friday, May 8, 2015, in Fort Smith. He was born April 7, 1970, in Hammond, Ind., to Linda and John Arnold. He received his bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University and was an Army veteran. He was a reporter for the Times Record and a volunteer for CASA, Court-Appointed Special Advocates.

Memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Fentress Mortuary Chapel. Visitation will follow the service.

He is survived by his mother, Linda Arnold of Muskogee; a sister, Tracey Rowan of Muskogee; two nephews, Garrick Rowan and his wife Meg of Muskogee and Alex Rowan of Muskogee; his uncle, Don Roberts and his wife Lyn of McAlester, Okla.; dear friends Daniel Whittaker and wife Jessica of Fort Smith and Andrew Davis of Muskogee; and his beloved cat, Angus.

While at the Times Record for more than 15 years, Jeff covered Fort Smith, politics, the police beat and courts. He received many awards for his work, but what he liked best was pursuing professional relationships that made it possible for him to tell the stories of Fort Smith. When asked how he got so many breaking stories first, he was proud to say, “I never burn my sources.”

Fort Smith City Administrator Ray Gosack wrote Friday, “Jeff was a very straight-forward reporter who kept focused on his stories. He didn’t let irrelevant information dissuade him from the main topic. Jeff was always very respectful of his sources, but never hesitated to ask the questions that needed to be asked.”

Mayor Sandy Sanders noted Jeff was “a good newspaperman.”

His friends will remember him for his quick wit, his deep voice and his soft heart for children. His absence leaves an unfillable void.

Memorials may be sent to the American Diabetes Association, Northwest/River Valley, 1732 Moberly Lane, Suite B, Bentonville, AR 72712.