MuskogeePhoenix.com, Muskogee, OK, July 14, 2008
Mervin John Arnold, Colonel, U.S. Army, Retired
1923-2008
Mervin John Arnold was born June 27, 1923 in Berryville, AR, the son of Fred W. Arnold and Iola (Rickman) Arnold. He died July 13, 2008 at his retirement home in Niceville, Florida after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
He was married to Geri (Henson) Arnold on March 4, 1967 and they have two children, Terry Arnold and his wife Mary (Klasner) Arnold and Tracy Myers and her husband Ryan Myers all of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
He is survived by these family members as well as three sons from a previous marriage, Ernst Arnold of Scottsdale, AZ, Elwin Arnold of Tampa, FL and Edmond Arnold of Muskogee. Merv also has six grandchildren: Grace Arnold, Ellie Arnold, Lauren Myers, Lucas Myers, Ryan Arnold and Katie (Arnold).
He lived a very full life as a military officer, building contractor, tennis enthusiast, private pilot, school board member and active member of First United Methodist Church.
He grew up and attended school in Yoder, Wyoming, moving to Muskogee while still in high school. He graduated from Muskogee Central High School in 1940 at the age of 16. Despite not graduating from high school in Wyoming, he enjoyed attending school reunions every five years and maintained some childhood friendships for a lifetime.
Merv's military service began at the age of 17 when he joined the U.S. Army., serving on active duty during World War II and the Korean War. He remained active in the U.S. Army and Army Reserves for most of his adult life, retiring in 1981 at the rank of Colonel with over 40 years of total military service. He was extremely proud of his service to our Nation.
For over 35 years, Merv worked as a construction contractor, building homes and commercial buildings in Muskogee and surrounding counties. During this time he completed over 500 homes and industrial facilities. In his final years of working, he served as the construction consultant for his dear friend Robert Yaffe at Yaffe Iron & Metal Company, overseeing projects in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kansas.
From 1982 to 1987 he served on the Muskogee Board of Education where he held the office of President, Vice-President and Clerk. He was the "Clerk of the Works" for construction and renovation projects at Creek, Pershing, Harris-Jobe, Tony Goetz and Whittier elementary schools. He also served as District Director of the Oklahoma School Boards Association and the Member Health Insurance Trust Board of the Oklahoma School Boards Association.
An avid tennis player, he built a private tennis court and hosted some of the area's best players for over 30 years. He was also an accomplished pilot, logging many hours in single and multi-engine aircraft. Merv was an active member of First United Methodist Church in Muskogee for over 40 years, singing in the choir, serving on various committees and overseeing construction projects. He loved following the Oklahoma Sooners and remained a season ticket holder for over 30 years.
After retiring to Niceville, FL, Merv and Geri enjoyed traveling, playing tennis and watching their grandchildren grow. They were regular fixtures at Niceville High School football games, Okaloosa-Walton College basketball games and traveled to see their beloved Oklahoma Sooners play in bowl games. For several years he was a volunteer at the U.S. Air Force Armament Museum at Eglin AFB, a member of the local Rotary Club and a member of First United Methodist Church and the Serendipity Sunday School Class in Niceville.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, July 17th at First United Methodist Church. Visitation is scheduled from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 16th at Foster Petering Funeral home. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery Mausoleum. Military honors will be presented by American Legion Post 15.
Pallbearers include Vance McSpadden, Jr., Bill Settle, Gene Herrera, Jack Hughes, Ron Cox, David Jones and Robert Livingston. Friends may wish to remember Merv by making donations to Covenant Hospice, 101 Hart Street, Niceville, FL 32578, or to the St. Jude Children's Hospital, Attn: Memorial Dept., 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN, 38105.
Funeral service arrangements are under the direction of Foster-Petering Funeral Home.
Mervin John Arnold, Colonel, U.S. Army, Retired
1923-2008
Mervin John Arnold was born June 27, 1923 in Berryville, AR, the son of Fred W. Arnold and Iola (Rickman) Arnold. He died July 13, 2008 at his retirement home in Niceville, Florida after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
He was married to Geri (Henson) Arnold on March 4, 1967 and they have two children, Terry Arnold and his wife Mary (Klasner) Arnold and Tracy Myers and her husband Ryan Myers all of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
He is survived by these family members as well as three sons from a previous marriage, Ernst Arnold of Scottsdale, AZ, Elwin Arnold of Tampa, FL and Edmond Arnold of Muskogee. Merv also has six grandchildren: Grace Arnold, Ellie Arnold, Lauren Myers, Lucas Myers, Ryan Arnold and Katie (Arnold).
He lived a very full life as a military officer, building contractor, tennis enthusiast, private pilot, school board member and active member of First United Methodist Church.
He grew up and attended school in Yoder, Wyoming, moving to Muskogee while still in high school. He graduated from Muskogee Central High School in 1940 at the age of 16. Despite not graduating from high school in Wyoming, he enjoyed attending school reunions every five years and maintained some childhood friendships for a lifetime.
Merv's military service began at the age of 17 when he joined the U.S. Army., serving on active duty during World War II and the Korean War. He remained active in the U.S. Army and Army Reserves for most of his adult life, retiring in 1981 at the rank of Colonel with over 40 years of total military service. He was extremely proud of his service to our Nation.
For over 35 years, Merv worked as a construction contractor, building homes and commercial buildings in Muskogee and surrounding counties. During this time he completed over 500 homes and industrial facilities. In his final years of working, he served as the construction consultant for his dear friend Robert Yaffe at Yaffe Iron & Metal Company, overseeing projects in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kansas.
From 1982 to 1987 he served on the Muskogee Board of Education where he held the office of President, Vice-President and Clerk. He was the "Clerk of the Works" for construction and renovation projects at Creek, Pershing, Harris-Jobe, Tony Goetz and Whittier elementary schools. He also served as District Director of the Oklahoma School Boards Association and the Member Health Insurance Trust Board of the Oklahoma School Boards Association.
An avid tennis player, he built a private tennis court and hosted some of the area's best players for over 30 years. He was also an accomplished pilot, logging many hours in single and multi-engine aircraft. Merv was an active member of First United Methodist Church in Muskogee for over 40 years, singing in the choir, serving on various committees and overseeing construction projects. He loved following the Oklahoma Sooners and remained a season ticket holder for over 30 years.
After retiring to Niceville, FL, Merv and Geri enjoyed traveling, playing tennis and watching their grandchildren grow. They were regular fixtures at Niceville High School football games, Okaloosa-Walton College basketball games and traveled to see their beloved Oklahoma Sooners play in bowl games. For several years he was a volunteer at the U.S. Air Force Armament Museum at Eglin AFB, a member of the local Rotary Club and a member of First United Methodist Church and the Serendipity Sunday School Class in Niceville.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, July 17th at First United Methodist Church. Visitation is scheduled from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 16th at Foster Petering Funeral home. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery Mausoleum. Military honors will be presented by American Legion Post 15.
Pallbearers include Vance McSpadden, Jr., Bill Settle, Gene Herrera, Jack Hughes, Ron Cox, David Jones and Robert Livingston. Friends may wish to remember Merv by making donations to Covenant Hospice, 101 Hart Street, Niceville, FL 32578, or to the St. Jude Children's Hospital, Attn: Memorial Dept., 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN, 38105.
Funeral service arrangements are under the direction of Foster-Petering Funeral Home.
MuskogeePhoenix.com, Muskogee, OK, July 14, 2008
Mervin John Arnold, Colonel, U.S. Army, Retired
1923-2008
Mervin John Arnold was born June 27, 1923 in Berryville, AR, the son of Fred W. Arnold and Iola (Rickman) Arnold. He died July 13, 2008 at his retirement home in Niceville, Florida after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
He was married to Geri (Henson) Arnold on March 4, 1967 and they have two children, Terry Arnold and his wife Mary (Klasner) Arnold and Tracy Myers and her husband Ryan Myers all of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
He is survived by these family members as well as three sons from a previous marriage, Ernst Arnold of Scottsdale, AZ, Elwin Arnold of Tampa, FL and Edmond Arnold of Muskogee. Merv also has six grandchildren: Grace Arnold, Ellie Arnold, Lauren Myers, Lucas Myers, Ryan Arnold and Katie (Arnold).
He lived a very full life as a military officer, building contractor, tennis enthusiast, private pilot, school board member and active member of First United Methodist Church.
He grew up and attended school in Yoder, Wyoming, moving to Muskogee while still in high school. He graduated from Muskogee Central High School in 1940 at the age of 16. Despite not graduating from high school in Wyoming, he enjoyed attending school reunions every five years and maintained some childhood friendships for a lifetime.
Merv's military service began at the age of 17 when he joined the U.S. Army., serving on active duty during World War II and the Korean War. He remained active in the U.S. Army and Army Reserves for most of his adult life, retiring in 1981 at the rank of Colonel with over 40 years of total military service. He was extremely proud of his service to our Nation.
For over 35 years, Merv worked as a construction contractor, building homes and commercial buildings in Muskogee and surrounding counties. During this time he completed over 500 homes and industrial facilities. In his final years of working, he served as the construction consultant for his dear friend Robert Yaffe at Yaffe Iron & Metal Company, overseeing projects in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kansas.
From 1982 to 1987 he served on the Muskogee Board of Education where he held the office of President, Vice-President and Clerk. He was the "Clerk of the Works" for construction and renovation projects at Creek, Pershing, Harris-Jobe, Tony Goetz and Whittier elementary schools. He also served as District Director of the Oklahoma School Boards Association and the Member Health Insurance Trust Board of the Oklahoma School Boards Association.
An avid tennis player, he built a private tennis court and hosted some of the area's best players for over 30 years. He was also an accomplished pilot, logging many hours in single and multi-engine aircraft. Merv was an active member of First United Methodist Church in Muskogee for over 40 years, singing in the choir, serving on various committees and overseeing construction projects. He loved following the Oklahoma Sooners and remained a season ticket holder for over 30 years.
After retiring to Niceville, FL, Merv and Geri enjoyed traveling, playing tennis and watching their grandchildren grow. They were regular fixtures at Niceville High School football games, Okaloosa-Walton College basketball games and traveled to see their beloved Oklahoma Sooners play in bowl games. For several years he was a volunteer at the U.S. Air Force Armament Museum at Eglin AFB, a member of the local Rotary Club and a member of First United Methodist Church and the Serendipity Sunday School Class in Niceville.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, July 17th at First United Methodist Church. Visitation is scheduled from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 16th at Foster Petering Funeral home. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery Mausoleum. Military honors will be presented by American Legion Post 15.
Pallbearers include Vance McSpadden, Jr., Bill Settle, Gene Herrera, Jack Hughes, Ron Cox, David Jones and Robert Livingston. Friends may wish to remember Merv by making donations to Covenant Hospice, 101 Hart Street, Niceville, FL 32578, or to the St. Jude Children's Hospital, Attn: Memorial Dept., 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN, 38105.
Funeral service arrangements are under the direction of Foster-Petering Funeral Home.
Mervin John Arnold, Colonel, U.S. Army, Retired
1923-2008
Mervin John Arnold was born June 27, 1923 in Berryville, AR, the son of Fred W. Arnold and Iola (Rickman) Arnold. He died July 13, 2008 at his retirement home in Niceville, Florida after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
He was married to Geri (Henson) Arnold on March 4, 1967 and they have two children, Terry Arnold and his wife Mary (Klasner) Arnold and Tracy Myers and her husband Ryan Myers all of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
He is survived by these family members as well as three sons from a previous marriage, Ernst Arnold of Scottsdale, AZ, Elwin Arnold of Tampa, FL and Edmond Arnold of Muskogee. Merv also has six grandchildren: Grace Arnold, Ellie Arnold, Lauren Myers, Lucas Myers, Ryan Arnold and Katie (Arnold).
He lived a very full life as a military officer, building contractor, tennis enthusiast, private pilot, school board member and active member of First United Methodist Church.
He grew up and attended school in Yoder, Wyoming, moving to Muskogee while still in high school. He graduated from Muskogee Central High School in 1940 at the age of 16. Despite not graduating from high school in Wyoming, he enjoyed attending school reunions every five years and maintained some childhood friendships for a lifetime.
Merv's military service began at the age of 17 when he joined the U.S. Army., serving on active duty during World War II and the Korean War. He remained active in the U.S. Army and Army Reserves for most of his adult life, retiring in 1981 at the rank of Colonel with over 40 years of total military service. He was extremely proud of his service to our Nation.
For over 35 years, Merv worked as a construction contractor, building homes and commercial buildings in Muskogee and surrounding counties. During this time he completed over 500 homes and industrial facilities. In his final years of working, he served as the construction consultant for his dear friend Robert Yaffe at Yaffe Iron & Metal Company, overseeing projects in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kansas.
From 1982 to 1987 he served on the Muskogee Board of Education where he held the office of President, Vice-President and Clerk. He was the "Clerk of the Works" for construction and renovation projects at Creek, Pershing, Harris-Jobe, Tony Goetz and Whittier elementary schools. He also served as District Director of the Oklahoma School Boards Association and the Member Health Insurance Trust Board of the Oklahoma School Boards Association.
An avid tennis player, he built a private tennis court and hosted some of the area's best players for over 30 years. He was also an accomplished pilot, logging many hours in single and multi-engine aircraft. Merv was an active member of First United Methodist Church in Muskogee for over 40 years, singing in the choir, serving on various committees and overseeing construction projects. He loved following the Oklahoma Sooners and remained a season ticket holder for over 30 years.
After retiring to Niceville, FL, Merv and Geri enjoyed traveling, playing tennis and watching their grandchildren grow. They were regular fixtures at Niceville High School football games, Okaloosa-Walton College basketball games and traveled to see their beloved Oklahoma Sooners play in bowl games. For several years he was a volunteer at the U.S. Air Force Armament Museum at Eglin AFB, a member of the local Rotary Club and a member of First United Methodist Church and the Serendipity Sunday School Class in Niceville.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, July 17th at First United Methodist Church. Visitation is scheduled from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 16th at Foster Petering Funeral home. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery Mausoleum. Military honors will be presented by American Legion Post 15.
Pallbearers include Vance McSpadden, Jr., Bill Settle, Gene Herrera, Jack Hughes, Ron Cox, David Jones and Robert Livingston. Friends may wish to remember Merv by making donations to Covenant Hospice, 101 Hart Street, Niceville, FL 32578, or to the St. Jude Children's Hospital, Attn: Memorial Dept., 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN, 38105.
Funeral service arrangements are under the direction of Foster-Petering Funeral Home.
