- Dateline: Midland
- Name: Wayne J. Arnold, 82
- Died: Monday, March 01, 2010, in Midland
- Wayne J. Arnold, 82, passed away on Monday, March 1, 2010, in the Hospice Inpatient Unit at Midland Memorial Hospital after a long, courageous, and amazing battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his family and now has his eyes full of Heaven. Visitation will be Wednesday, March 3, 2010, from 5:00 P.M. - 7:30 P.M. at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home in Midland. Graveside services will be held on Thursday, March 4, 2010, at 2:00 P.M. at the Oakwood Cemetery in Cisco, Texas, with Scott Sheppard of Fairmont Park Church of Christ officiating.
Wayne was born on April 3, 1927, in Carbon, Texas to George and Bettie Lee Arnold. He grew up in Cisco, Texas, attending school there until he joined the U.S. Navy at the age of 17. He served in the South Pacific Theater during World War II aboard the USS Mob Jack. Upon completion of his service to his country, Wayne worked various jobs in West Texas, in the oil field as well as with Railway Express. While working as a Railway Express agent in Monahans, he enjoyed cherry limeades at the drugstore where a beautiful, young lady named Marie Taylor worked. They were married on June 1, 1951 and through the years were blessed with 4 children and a lifetime of wonderful memories.
After moving to Midland in 1952, Wayne worked for the U.S. Postal Service until his retirement in 1983. He also owned Arnold's Pool Service from 1954 until he retired in 1995.
Wayne was a long-time member of Fort Worth & Jax Church of Christ and a charter member of Fairmont Park Church of Christ. He loved his church family and enjoyed the many friendships he cultivated over the years. He was a gentle giant of a man with a big heart, a firm handshake and a twinkle in his eye. He enjoyed handing out nicknames, coining new phrases and making his family and friends laugh. He also loved gardening, camping, fishing, hunting rocks and collecting coins and stamps.
Wayne was the ultimate gentleman and a beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend. His family always came first, and he was never too busy to attend his children's and grandchildren's many school and sports activities. He enjoyed being outdoors with his grandchildren, picking up pecans in the orchard, working in the garden and taking golf cart rides.
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers and 2 sisters.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Marie Arnold of Midland; a daughter Susan Jacobsma and her husband, Marc of Midland; 3 sons, Darrell Arnold and his wife Vicki of Sugarland, George Arnold and his wife, Sandi of Abilene, Bruce Arnold and his wife, Stephanie of Midland; his grandchildren, Kasey, Chadd, Katie, Julie, Patrick, Claire, Abbie and Luke; 2 great grandchildren; a sister, Betty June Snodgrass of Lubbock; many nieces and nephews as well as extended family.
The family would like to express their deepest thanks to Dr. Watkins, Dr. Miller and the wonderful nurses in the Hospice Unit for their kind, compassionate care during Wayne's illness.
Honorary pallbearers are his grandsons and nephews.
The family suggests that memorials be made to Hospice of Midland PO Box 2621 Midland, TX 79702 or Midland Christian School 2001 Culver Midland, TX 79705.
"When one man dies, one chapter is not torn out of the book but translated into a better language." - John Donne
Arrangements are under the care of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com
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