James Vernon Arnold

ARNOLD, James Vernon, affectionately known as Jim or Jimmy, loving son, brother, uncle and friend, unexpectedly passed away at his home in Maitland, Florida on January 28, 2017, at the age of 66. Jim was the son of Evelyn H. Arnold and Charles E. Arnold, and the brother of C. Jeffery (Colleen) Arnold, Ellen A. Arnold, and Christopher R. (Peggy) Arnold. He was born in Corsicana, Texas, on December 4, 1950. He grew up in Winter Park where he attended Lakemont Elementary, Maitland Junior High and Winter Park High School. He was a graduate of LaGrange College in LaGrange, Georgia. A natural athlete, Jim played J.V. and Varsity football and rowed Varsity crew while in school. He participated in Student Council, and Octagon and Tri-Hi-Y service clubs. Outside of school, Jim was an accomplished surfer and water skier. Jim worked as an independent contractor for most of his life. He had a strong work ethic and he took pride in his work. It was important to him that the work he did was of the highest quality. Using his natural gifts and his intelligence, there wasn’t anything he couldn’t take apart, build, install, or fix. He enjoyed using those gifts to help people as well as earn a living. Jim was a good man and a loyal compadre. With his warm smile, friendly personality, and sense of humor, Jim didn’t know a stranger. He enjoyed reading and keeping up with current news, but his real love was fishing. He found his “peaceful place” while at the beach or on the water, outside, enjoying nature and casting for trophy fish. He will be deeply missed by all those who knew and loved him. A Celebration of Life gathering is planned for Saturday, February 11, 2017 at 1:30pm, at Kraft Azalea Gardens, colonnade area, 1365 Alabama Drive, Winter Park, Florida. A private interment for family will be held at Greenwood Cemetery in Orlando. Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, 175 N. Interlachen Avenue, Winter Park, Florida 32789, or to a charity of choice. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Baldwin Fairchild – Ivanhoe Chapel.