Deacon Robert F. Arnold's Obituary
Deacon Robert F. Arnold,76, of Columbia was received into his heavenly home on Monday, February 24, 2014 at his home. Funeral services will be held Saturday March 1, 2014 at Progressive Missionary Baptist Church at 11 am. The visitation will be held from 10-11 am at the church
Born February 14, 1938 to William Franklin and Margaret Virginia Hayes Arnold in Forest Green, Missouri, Robert was the third of 5 children.
Robert married Jennifer Mae Mutrux on September 10, 1968. Together, they lived 45 plus years of love and commitment to one another and to God. By his side, she remains.
Robert Arnold enlisted in the United States Navy at the age of 17. He served until after the age of 19 on what was, at the time, referred to as a “Kiddie Cruise.” While in the Navy he trained as a boxer, and was the champion of his fleet. He served onboard the USS New Jersey, USS Salem, USS Mulinex and the USS Warrenton. Serving between the Korean War and the Vietnam War, he never saw wartime.
Deacon Arnold was a long-time member of Progressive Missionary Baptist Church. He was devoted to the mission of Jesus Christ to serve others. Without a high school diploma he took the helm as Progressive’s treasurer when the church was in the worst financial condition it had ever been, diligently working to bring the treasury to a position where it could biblically carry out Christ’s mandate in Matthew 25:35-40 to clothe and feed those in need. In that, he made sure anyone in need who came to Progressive received assistance.
Deacon Arnold served his church in numerous capacities: Sunday School teacher, Chairman of the Trustee Board, Layman and Brotherhood Choir. In addition, Deacon Arnold could be found seeing to the physical needs of the church by mowing the lawn, building partitions so Sunday School classes could meet, fixing the church bus numerous times and cleaning the building alongside his good friend and buddy, George Norman, Sr.
Deacon Arnold worked closely with Peggy Kirkpatrick and the Central Missouri Food Bank carrying on the work established by Earl and Clara Miles and others at The Progressive Food Pantry which during his time of service generally served approximately 200 mid-Missouri families each week.
Bob was a working man. When asked what he wanted to be when he grew up, grandson Zachary said, “I want to be a working man just like my grandpa.” A certified mechanic, Bob worked for Sears Automotive, Dalton Trucking, Joe Machens Automotive Detailing, as well as independently. In short, he would accomplish whatever he put his hand to in order to support his family. Bob retired from the Boonville Correctional Center where he was supervisor in the power plant serving as a stationery engineer.
After retirement, Bob spent his time at his “day job”, working on the south third of the family plot he and Jennifer purchased. He had a love for the land, gardening, raising hogs, creating a baseball field, building a gazebo and even a heart-shaped flower garden for Jennifer. He developed a love for restoring John Deere tractors and mowers, and mowed his lawn religiously.
He was loved by many. To his friends, he was Bob. To his brother, sisters and those with whom he grew up, he was Franklin. To his nieces and nephews he was fondly called “Unky Dick” or just “Unc”. But to all of them, he was so much more. He was the family patriarch and embraced the role of father to his nieces and nephews. He was faithful to remind us that, after God, family is what matters most. For several years, he and Jennifer hosted the Arnold Family Reunion each Labor Day weekend at their home until it became too difficult for them. After that, his nieces and nephews carried on the tradition, moving the reunion to Marshall, MO. Through the example left by Unc, the legacy of loving God and loving family will continue with this generation and those to come.
Remembering Dad are: Theresa Arnold-Ewing and fiancé, Jim of Minnesota; Robert Tooley and wife, Aylesi of Missouri; Carl Kimmins of Illinois, Catherine Cox and husband Michael of Missouri; and Phillip Arnold and wife, Elizabeth of Georgia. Together, Bob and Jennifer have 20 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, and 3 beloved god-children.
Also celebrating his life are his sister, Betty Ruth Hayes of Marshall, Missouri, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews, and many, many friends.
Robert Arnold was reunited in death with his parents, one brother, William Gary Arnold, two sisters, Vera Lee Saunders and Della Mary Brown and a host of friends and loved ones.
Were the family to mention each friend by name, we would inadvertently miss someone.But this day would not be complete without including special friend Odie Swanigan with whom many hours were spent over the years in deep, meaningless conversation and happy companionship, and with whom he managed to solve all the world’s problems, and Bill Cross, who provided countless hours of comic relief.
Our warmest, heartfelt thanks to Dr. Harold Williamson, GCNS Marilee Green Bomar, Dr. Steven Westgate and the doctors and nurses of University of Missouri Hospital and Clinics and Ellis Fischel Cancer Hospital. Thanks also to nurse, Nina for your special care and Andrew for your warm conversation. God has the perfect place for you, Andrew.
Final thanks go to Blanche Lynhardt, Deb Filer and the Mid Missouri Lung Cancer Support Group, and to Compassus Hospice.
This is not goodbye, only see you later. I’ve seen Him face to face, touched the hem of His garment, rested my head on His chest and told Him “thank You.”
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