Pat Arnold

After many years of fighting with health problems, one of which we thought would take him, he came up against Covid. He fought a long and hard battle, and he put up one Hell of a fight, but his body was not able to fight off Covid. He was lucky enough to be able to have his loving wife there with him holding his hand as he took his last breath.

Pat was born March 24, 1961 in Leeds, Alabama to Roy and Betty Arnold. He was the fifth of six kids, but you would swear he was the baby of the family.

He met the love of his life Selena as teenagers and through all their ups and downs, they somehow managed not to kill each other and happily celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary this past May. Through their union they had two children a daughter Melonie (Trey) Kucherka and a son Matthew Arnold. He was also the proud paw-paw to three grandchildren who he loved.

Pat drove 18-wheelers for a number of years and after he had a near fatal crash, he chose a different career path. The accident left not only him a little traumatized, but the lady whose porch he stood on bleeding with the whole backside of his clothes missing, still traumatized to this day. Pat’s last job and the job he truly loved was driving a school bus for the Shelby County school system. All the kids called him Mr. Pat and they adored him and he loved each one of them like his own.

Pat was a short man, he only stood 5’4, but the way he carried himself you would have thought he was 10 feet tall. He was a character who loved to joke around and make people laugh. He loved to dress up in ridiculous costumes anytime he got the chance. Even though he knew how funny he looked and no matter how much it drove his wife crazy, he loved the attention and the simple idea of making people laugh. He was just a big kid at heart.

Pat never met a stranger. He would talk nonstop to anyone who would take the time to talk to him, or he would make you talk to him. There was never a quiet moment with him. Whenever he would have to go to the store by himself, a quick 30 minutes trip, would take him an hour or more. He was never on time for anything.

Pat loved to travel and with his daughter moving all over the world, he was able to see and experience some wonderful things. One special trip he took was to Bozeman, Montana. Just the two of them were able to hike up the mountain and look out over the city. This spot was very special to him and it is where he expressed his wishes for his ashes to be scattered.

He was loved by a lot of people and he is going to be missed so desperately.

Waiting to welcome him on the other side was his Dad Roy Arnold, sister Rebecca Arnold, brothers Steve and Robert Arnold, his mother-in-law Lena Brasher (Adams) and father-in-law Lawrence Brasher, his nephew Zachary Lynn and all of his extended family who have gone on before him.

Those who were left here to pick up the pieces of his passing is his wife Selena Arnold of Sylacauga, Al, his daughter Melonie (Trey) Kucherka of Yorkshire, England, his son Matthew Arnold of Sylacauga. His Grandchildren Will, Zofia and August Kucherka all of Yorkshire, England. His mother Betty Arnold of Leeds, Al, sister Marlene Ingram of Leeds, Al and brother Jeffery Arnold. As well as his brother in-laws, sister-in-law's and all nieces, nephews and cousins.

Pat never saved a penny in his life. If he had any money at all in his pocket, he would spend it on frivolous things. If you feel the need to spend your money on frivolous things such as flowers, you can send them to Kilgore Funeral home in Leeds, Alabama. The memorial service will be held on December 4, 2021 at Kilgore Funeral home in Leeds, Alabama with visitation with family at 1:00 p.m. and the memorial service to start at 2 p.m. Please feel free to stop by and chat for a while because everyone has wonderful stories of him and his family would love to hear them and help them celebrate his life. Please come in casual wear, because God knows he would have showed up in the most stained shirt he could find with shoes on and wearing no socks, so please come comfortable.

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