KINGSPORT, Tenn. Millard "Clayton" Arnold Sr., 87, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012, at Holston Manor Nursing Home. He was born in Abingdon, Va., on Oct. 8, 1924, to the late Millard Thomas Arnold and Odel Lester Arnold. As a young man, he served his country overseas and fought with the US Army during World War II, and receiving an honorable discharge. Afterwards, he pursued the talent he had for working on cars, becoming known as the "mechanic" you always ask for if you had a Ford vehicle. He worked for the Ford dealership in Kingsport for many years making numerous friends. Clayton was a gentle giant of a man. He had a personality that could handle any situation with wisdom and loving kindness. He loved people and loved his Lord and served as Trustee of Victory Apostolic Church for more than 20 years and showed much leadership. Clayton was artistic and loved woodworking and computers. It was amazing how he worked with and understood electronics. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanette Arnold; and the mother of his children, Mary Arnold; brothers, Bobby and Mack Arnold; sister, Ann Wolfe; grandson, Millard Clayton III; and step-son, Wayne Rogers. Survivors include his loving wife of 17 wonderful years, Eulala Rogers Arnold; sons, Millard (M.C.) Arnold Jr., and wife, Juanita of Jacksonville, N.C., Roy, Jim and John Wayne Arnold and wife, Pat, all of Bristol; step-daughter, Sandi D'Costa and husband, Derick of Oxnard, Calif.; 10 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; eight step-grandchildren; brothers, Doug Arnold and wife, Imogene, Bill Arnold and wife, Elouise, James B. Arnold and wife, Lula, Allen Arnold and wife, Gladys; sister, Maxie Jones and husband, George; along with several nephews and nieces, his special church family at Victory Apostolic; and special friends, Joan and R.C. Simpson. The family will receive friends on Saturday, Jan. 7, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Hamlett-Dobson, Kingsport. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, Jan. 8, at 1:30 p.m. at Victory Apostolic Church with Bishop Hagan Webb and Pastor Boyd Holder officiating. Military graveside services will be conducted on Sunday, Jan. 8, at 4 p.m. at Forest Hills Memory Garden on Lee Highway in Abingdon. Military rites by American Legion Posts 3/265 and the Virginia National Guard. Pallbearers are his four sons, M.C., Roy, John Wayne and Jim Arnold; grandson, Kevin Arnold and R.C. Simpson. Honorary pallbearers will be James Osborne, Phil Overbey, Ken Johnson and Gillis LcBlanc. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Clayton to the Victory Apostolic Building Fund, 1921 Kite Street, Kingsport, TN 37664-3523. Please visit www.hamlettdobson.com to leave an on-line condolence for the family. Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes, Kingsport is serving the family of Millard "Clayton" Arnold.

Published in Bristol Herald Courier on January 7, 2012