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James Edwin Arnold Jr., 83, of Edmond, OK passed away on August 30, 2013. He was born in Muskogee, OK, on December 14, 1929, the son of James Edwin Arnold & Katherine Crew Arnold. He graduated from Central High School in Muskogee in 1948. Jim graduated from the University of Oklahoma with an Engineering degree in 1952. He was preceded in death by his parents and spouse, Julia Duston Arnold.
Raised in Muskogee, Jim was involved in many athletic sports, and was awarded the Best Three Year Athlete at West Junior High School in 1945. At Muskogee Central High School in Muskogee, Jim was crowned State Tennis Champion in 1948 with his victory in the state finals. Tennis was one of Jim's passions throughout his life. He was consistently ranked in the Missouri Valley during his life and continued to play the game he loved well into retirement.
While also in high school, Jim was president of his senior class, a member of the National Honor Society, president of the National Junior Honor Society, and lettered in basketball his junior and senior season. Jim attended Oklahoma Boys State and was elected Governor in 1948.
Jim attended the University of Oklahoma and was a member of the tennis team. As a member of the tennis team, the Sooners won a Big Seven conference title in 1952. Jim was a letterman for the University of Oklahoma. He was also a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. Jim received his degree, a B.S. in Industrial Management Engineering in 1953.
Upon graduation, Jim proudly served in the Air Force for seven years before an honorable discharge in 1955, with a National Defense Service Medal.
Jim and his wife, Judy, were married October 13, 1956 in Bartlesville, OK and were the first couple married in the new St. Luke's Episcopal Church. A 50th wedding anniversary celebration was held in 2006 to celebrate the milestone at St. Luke's with family and friends.
Jim enjoyed a 32 year career with Phillips Petroleum Company in Bartlesville, retiring in 1986. A member of Hillcrest Country Club, Jim enjoyed his weekly tennis outings. He also enjoyed participating in the activities of his children.
Jim and his wife Judy raised and showed Palomino Quarter Horses at Double J Farm in Bartlesville, where they lived from 1956 to 1992. Together they ran a successful breeding farm and showed their horses in various state and national horse shows.
Jim and Judy relocated to Afton, OK, and Grand Lake in 1992. Together they enjoyed many good times with family and friends at the lake. Jim took up the game of golf in retirement and this became another passion for him. He produced two hole-in-one achievements, and was able to shoot his age on a few occasions.
After a brief stay in Laguna Vista, TX near South Padre Island, Jim and his wife Judy spent the remainder of their time in Edmond, OK to be near their family.
Jim's two grandchildren, Caitlin and James, were the final loves of his life. A dedicated grandfather, Jim never missed an opportunity to watch his grandchildren in all their many activities.
Jim is survived by his two sons, Norman Duston Arnold and wife LuAnn of Edmond, OK; David Burton Arnold of Oklahoma City, OK; two grandchildren, Caitlin Elizabeth Arnold and James Duston Arnold of Edmond; one sister, Jean Johnson of Broomfield, CO.
The Requiem will be held at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 9th and Dewey, Bartlesville, OK on Monday September 9 at 11am. Inurnment will be at the Columbarium at St. Luke's Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, the family recommends that donations be made to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation in memory of James Edwin Arnold Jr., 825 NE 13th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73104. All donations will be applied to cancer research.
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