James D. Arnold

James Dale Arnold, age 86, passed away on February 16, 2023 at Meadowbrook Manor in La Grange, IL. He was born to Harvey Arnold and Kathleen Arnold on September 29, 1936 in Simpson, IL. James is survived by 2 daughters, Angela McKenzie of Indianapolis, IN, Christine Ader of Homer Glen, IL; 1 brother, Lester Arnold of Simpson, IL; 2 sisters, Marilyn Faye Lewis of Olive Branch, MS, Sharon Kaye Britton of Little Rock, AR; 2 grandchildren, Brandy (McKenzie) Ferguson, Benjamin Guy (McKenzie), 2 great grandchildren, Daemon Guy, Brody Ferguson. He was preceded in death by his parents, 1 son, Samuel James Arnold, 1 sister Danielle Maureen Canup, 5 uncles, Eugene Butler, Hobart Arnold, Astin Arnold, “Cotton” Paul Arnold, Lester Johnson, and 3 aunts, Peggy Arnold, Nell Googin, Della May Johnson Hayes. James was a very talented man and worked as an auto body man for many decades. He was able to restore crashed cars to make them showroom new. His daughter recalls working with him on her 1970 Cutlass after it was rear-ended, and pulling the back out straight with a chain on a tree. She also recalls that when her 1976 Cutlass was rear-ended, he worked with her to cut the rear-end off the car, and replace it with one from a junkyard to make the car drivable, although it was a rainbow of colors. James had an incredible mind: he could also build guitars and mandolins. He was passionate about genealogy and created detailed books of ancestry before all the fancy websites did such things. He was a hard worker with a very strong faith. He gardened and enjoyed lots of fresh veggies. He was a talented singer and guitarist and had a band with his siblings in his youth and played in church and loved blue grass type songs. One of the relatives remembers when she was very young all the five siblings coming to their house and singing, the guys all playing their guitars; it was a great time and memories that she treasures. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family and friends. A Celebration of the life of James Dale Arnold will be conducted Saturday morning, April 22, 2023 at 11 AM at the Glendale Apostolic Church, 453 State Highway 145 North, Simpson, Illinois (the Glendale community). Pastor Harold Canup, Jr. will officiate. Interment will be in the Glendale Cemetery. The family will receive relatives and friends from 10 AM until the time of the service on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at the Glendale Apostolic Church. A luncheon, which will be held at the Glendale Apostolic Church, will be served at 1 PM Saturday, April 22, 2023. Those planning to attend the luncheon are respectfully invited to RSVP by contacting a member of the family. Please kindly omit flowers. In remembrance of James, the family requests that a donation be made to Pet Profile Rescue www.petprofilerescue.org

James D. Arnold

September 29, 1936 - February 16, 2023