Richard D. Arnold, Sr. Obituary
EASTLAND - Richard D. Arnold, Sr. passed from this world to his heavenly home to join his wife OT of 66 years on Saturday, October 24, 2015 at 11:03PM at Valley View Nursing Facility. A visitation will be held from 1:00 to 2:30 pm Wednesday, October 28, at Edwards Funeral Home in Eastland with a Graveside service to follow at 3:00pm at the Flatwood Cemetery.
Richard was born on November 20, 1922 in Eastland County to William F. and Ida Josephine (Massingale) Arnold. He is survived by 4 sons: Richard Jr. and wife Janice of Lytle, TX, and James and wife Vanitta of Olden; daughter in law, Shari of Colorado Springs, CO; Eddy of California; Aaron of Hawaii; and daughter, Arlina and husband Aaron Shortnacy of Bixby, OK. He also has 15 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, and 3 great great-grandchildren, one sister, Velma Lee Fenter, of Billings, MT and numerous nieces and nephews.
Richard is preceded in death by his wife, Othelia (OT); son, Bill, grandson, Bill Jr; and great-grandsons, Aidan and Connar.
Richard married Othelia Morris in New Boston, TX on March 23, 1942. He served in WWII with Company G, 3rd Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment (Big Red One) First Infantry Division in Germany. After the Battle of Aachen, he was wounded in the Battle of Hurtgen Forest.
During his life he did a lot of different things. He was a farmer, truck driver (both as an employee and owner operator), Copper miner, City of Eastland policeman, owner of City Cab Company, and operated several stations at different times in his life. Richard started a peanut peewee baseball league for kids too young for Little League and he and OT worked the concession stand for Little League for several years. People around town will remember him with his Yoyo in the parade and his train whistle.
In the last several years, Richard lived in Valley View Nursing Facility where he has many friends. He spent lots of time playing 42, dominos, bingo, and reading. He always had at least 2 books he was reading. He especially liked westerns. Richard also read this Bible every day and told his son he was on the 5th time reading.