John "Wes" Wesley Arnold Jr.

In his early life, Wes had a very successful swimming career, including a record-breaking state championship relay in 1971. He was passionate about cycling and rode the Assault on Mount Mitchell in under six hours.

Though he had a successful career, what mattered most to Wes was being a husband and a father. He loved his family unconditionally and was eager to support his children at every turn. When someone needed something, Wes showed up.

Kathy and Wes’s first date was a Dobyns-Bennett football game in Murfreesboro, and from there everything fell into place. When Wes met Kathy’s children one Christmas, they were eager to know who was putting that smile on their mom’s face. For 26 years, Wes kept putting it there, whether they were cycling the Creeper Trail or walking Edisto Beach and watching the sun rise and set.

He was prceded in death by his parents, John "Jay" W. Arnold and Naomi "Pauline" Arnold.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy Arnold; his children Lee Arnold, Zach (Emily) Arnold, Jerome (Jessica) Cloninger, Beth (Aaron) Whitley, and Adam (Selina) Cloninger; and his grandchildren Ben, Gray, EJ, Ava, Braedon, RaeAnne, Eli, Bailey, and Adyson.

The family will gather for a private graveside service at East Lawn Memorial Park's Garden of Hope.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Warrior Expeditions, a veteran-led nonprofit that helps combat veterans heal and transition home through long-distance hiking, biking, and paddling journeys: warriorexpeditions.org/donate

East Lawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park is honored to serve the Arnold family.