Raymond John Arndt

Raymond J. Arndt, 81, of Stafford County died Friday, August 24, 2012 at Mary Washington Hospital. Mr. Arndt was born April 8, 1931 in Washington, DC and spent his childhood in Cherrydale in Arlington County, Virginia. As a teenager, he began learning auto body and paint work and later started his own business in 1963, Ray's Auto Body in Vienna, Virginia, which has now been in business for 50 years. He enjoyed boating, restoring classic cars, and working on his property in Stafford, Virginia, where he built his present home in 1975. The things he liked most were being able to help his friends and neighbors fix something or build something and walking with beloved shelties River and Cricket. Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Joyce Arndt; sons James Arndt and his wife Barbara and Earl Robert Arndt and his wife Jackie; stepchildren Nonie Strike, Joy Ramsey and her husband MIke, Jack Strike and his wife Eileen; sisters Margaret Kruczek and her husband Frank, Pauline Phillips, brother Thomas Arndt; 8 grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by brother Bernard Arndt and stepson Edward Strike. He also leaves behind his loyal auto body shop family to carry on his "do it right or do it over" values. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 28, at Mullins & Thompson Funeral Service in Stafford, Virginia. A service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 29 at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Stafford Memorial Park, Stafford. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the SPCA or a charity of one's choice.