Richard Lee Arnold

At age 76, Richard “Rick” Arnold entered eternal rest on September 26, 2026, surrounded by those who cherished him most. His life began on New Year’s Eve, 1949, in Texas City, Texas, where he was born to Claude and Sadie Massey Arnold. His formative years were spent on a ballfield, on the beaches of Galveston, or on the water fishing the bayous with his dad. Rick grew into a gifted multisport athlete, excelling in football, basketball, track, and baseball, and was locally famous for hitting a home run as a freshman off then-senior Nolan Ryan. During visits home after entering Major League Baseball, Ryan often joked with Sadie that whenever his ego needed a gentle adjustment, he remembered the young freshman who once managed to get a solid hit off him.

His talent on the field caught the attention of professional baseball organizations, earning him invitations to try out for both the St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers. Southern State College in Magnolia, Arkansas, offered him scholarships to play baseball and football. After years of playing on both offense and defense, he was ready to leave football behind but chose to accept the baseball scholarship. At Southern State, as a freshman he earned Honorable Mention All-American honors and held the team’s highest batting average.

Rick and Vicki Post started dating their sophomore year of college and were married for 55 years. Not long after their wedding, Rick accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at Marrable Hill Baptist Church during a revival at which his father-in-law was leading the music.

Rick was an avid outdoorsman with a passion for duck hunting and fishing in his favorite place, Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge. In 1976, he helped build the family cabin there, and from then until he could no longer physically do so, he spent nearly every free moment in Felsenthal, enjoying weekends with his Post family and teaching his children to swim, hunt, fish, and appreciate the outdoors he loved so deeply. For a Texas boy who grew up without winter weather, an Arkansas snowfall was always a thrill, something he greeted with childlike excitement. The only thing that could outshine the beauty of falling snow was watching the ducks swing toward his call as they moved through it. Duck season was pure happiness to him.

A master carpenter by trade, Rick was known for his perfectionist nature and remarkable attention to detail. His skill and ingenuity meant he could build anything and fix most everything. After many years of dedicated service, he retired from the El Dorado School District as the Facilities Maintenance Director.

Rick is preceded in death by his parents; siblings Wayne, Kenneth Ray, Mike, and Glenda; sisters-in-law Dee Post and Diana Post; nephew Zach Little; and son-in-law Jack Ridinger. Surviving Rick are his wife; his son, Greg Arnold (Ashley); daughter, Kerri Brown (Mark); granddaughter, Caroline Ridinger; grandson, Andrew Arnold; brother-in-law Nelson Post (Angie); sister-in-law Rita Post Little (Dean); brother-in-law Stan Post; nephew Seth Post (Meagan); and his great-niece, Vivian Post.

The Arnold and Post families would like to express their sincere gratitude to his caregivers at Hudson Memorial Nursing Home and LifeTouch Hospice, and especially to Dr. Julia Hall, a cherished family friend, for extraordinary care, compassion, and friendship.

Rick’s children would also like to express their deepest and most sincere gratitude to their mother for the exceptional and diligent care she provided for their father. Her unwavering devotion to his well-being was a profound example of steadfast love and dedication. Mom, we are forever grateful. Thank you.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, October 1, at 11:00 a.m. at Immanuel Baptist Church, with a reception immediately following. Interment will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor his memory may donate to the Jack Ridinger Memorial Scholarship through the Union County Community Foundation or to the Immanuel Baptist Church Building Fund.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.youngsfuneeralhome.com