Gary James Arnold's Obituary
Gary James Arnold, age 83, passed away on March 15, 2024. Gary was born and raised in Marine City, MI. to Chester Arnold and Marie Lavley. Gary along with his brothers Chet and Wayne shoveled coal and delivered ice from the family business all growing up. When possible, he would sneak off to play football, basketball and baseball for Holy Cross High School. When he wasn't caught by his father, he was earning all area & all state awards in those sports. After high school Gary held various jobs in factories, welding and at the Stroh brewery- distribution plant in Detroit. As a young adult he met, fell in love with and married 6 weeks later, the love of his life, Sally Ann Kendall.
They lived in Marine City with son David, daughter Sarah, and nephew Colin until moving to his dream house on the St Clair River. When the kids were young, he coached little league and bar league baseball and went back for his BS from Oakland University. His career job was with TACOM Department of
Defense as a quality engineer. While at Tacom he helped design the Bradley transport vehicle. Retiring in 1997 he went to work full-time again in 1998 as his grandchild MAX (Emily) Blackstock’s full-time caregiver and to Ian Blackstock 5 years later. Being PAPA was the job he had cherished the most. He taught his grandchildren all the skills they would ever need to be successful children into young adults.
Final retirement for Gary in 2010 led him to The Villages Florida where golf was a passion played 3-5 days a week. He moved back to Michigan to be with family in February 2024. Gary battled Alzheimer’s for almost 10 years and his family became advocates for the Alzheimer’s association.
He is survived by his loving wife, Sally; children, Sarah (Herb) Blackstock, David (Julie) Arnold; grandchildren, Ian and Emily Blackstock, Rachel Arnold; brothers, Chet Arnold, Wayne (Elizabeth) Arnold; nephew, Colin (Robin Skodzinsky) Kendall, as well as several other nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Chester and Marie Arnold; and sister Mary Ann Prudhomme.
Cremation arrangements with Young Funeral Home, China Twp. A memorial mass will be Thursday April 4th, at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Marine City. There will be visitation on Wednesday, April 3rd from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Young Funeral Home, China Twp. as well as 10:30 to 11:00 prior to mass on Thursday. Immediately following the mass a luncheon will be held at the Harvest Event Center on King Road, Marine City.
Please feel free to donate to this page in Gary's name to help raise awareness and research funds for the fight against Alzheimer’s. https://act.alz.org/site/TR/Events/Tributes-AlzheimersChampions?pg=fund&fr_id=1060&pxfid=869189
To leave a message of comfort visit www.youngcolonial.com
What’s your fondest memory of Gary?
What’s a lesson you learned from Gary?
Share a story where Gary's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Gary you’ll never forget.
How did Gary make you smile?