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Michael Arnold Obituary
Arnold was a Navy veteran and avid pilot who was building a light airplane at his home, said his uncle, Steve Hunter.
"It would have been the first plane he ever owned," Hunter said in a telephone interview from Rochester, Mich., Arnold's hometown. "It's partially assembled in his basement."
Hunter said his nephew retired from the Navy as a commander or lieutenant commander and had previously been stationed at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. He worked at the Navy Yard on a team that designed vessels such as the USS Makin Island, a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship used by the Marine Corps.
Arnold and his wife, Jolanda, had been married for more than 30 years, Hunter said. They had two grown sons, Eric and Christopher.
Hunter said Arnold returned to Michigan for Labor Day to visit his 80-year-old mother, Patricia.
"He was a loving son of his mother and his wife, and great father to his kids," said Hunter. "It's tragic. How can you get up in the morning and go to work and have that happen? How do bad things like that happen to good people?"
___
Associated Press writers Amanda Kell, Ben Nuckols and Allen G. Breed contributed to this report.
Copyright © 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
37 Entries
R
May 27, 2014
Please accept my sincere prayers that go out to the surviving family and friends may the God of comfort continue to bless you and yours especially after such a tragic loss. Please accept my deepest sympathies. 2 Cor. 1:2,3.
np
November 3, 2013
I am sorry for your loss. I hope you can find comfort in the words written at (Jeremiah 29:11,12)
Vasilios Emmanuel Glimidakis
October 16, 2013
Dear Arnold and other families,
I am sorry for your loss. God bless him and his family.
How you can show support
Deb Couture
October 9, 2013
Mrs. Arnold and family,
I am so very sorry for your loss.
I had the pleasure of working with Mike in 2011 when we working on the amphib design and I was tasked with medical space design. He made many trips to the Pentagon to meet with me and others and all of us traveled to Norfolk on several occasions to tour various ships to see what we did and did not want in future ships' design. Mike was a wonderful person, very professional, and had more patience than anyone I have ever met.
He also convinced my husband and I to purchase our first mini-cooper. As tall as he was, I always questioned if they were very comfortable to sit in. He reassured us and even said you had purchased one. So in 2012, we purchased our first mini.
I thank him for all the knowledge that he brought to the table and the guidance that he gave.
God Bless you all.
Debra Couture
CAPT, MSC, USN (ret)
Materials Division NSWCCD
October 8, 2013
Deepest sympathies to you and your family. Mike was a dedicated and well-respected colleague. He will be sorely missed.
S Marshall
October 7, 2013
Please accept our deepest sympathies on the death of your loved one. May the God of all comfort be with you and your family.
Gwen Caldwell
September 26, 2013
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this sad time. I worked with Mike for years in PMS 377. I retired about 7 years ago. He was one of the nicest people I have ever met and so easy to get along with. He also had a great sense of humor. Mike will be missed by so many people. May God bless you and your family.
Charles Moss
September 23, 2013
I am so sorry to have missed the visitation. I was in California and could not get back. Mike was one of the great guys to deal with. Always smart and on target with his assessments. He was one of the nicest folks to be around discussing work or our private interest. No matter how much the the Navy will really miss a man like this, I am sure your loss is so much greater. My prayers are for your peace and comfort. Mike Moss, CAPT, USN ret,
James & Brenda Johnson
September 22, 2013
Dear Jolanda, Eric, Christopher and Family:
Our thoughts and prayers are with you for your tragic and senseless loss. Michael will be much missed!
We're truely sorry we could not be with you to share your sorrow, as we have recently retired and moved from the area.
May Michael rest in peace, and may you find yours.
The Johnsons (Brenda, Jim, and Austin)
Lori McCullough
September 21, 2013
My dear Pat and family,
May God be by your side and in your hearts during this time. Doug McCullough and I send our thoughts, prayers and sincerest wishes to you, David, Judy and other family members. Although we will not be able to be with you, know we are there in spirt and prayer. Lori and Doug McCullough
Karen Melton
September 21, 2013
My sincerest condolences for the Arnold family, friends and co-workers. Michael had a very pleasant spirit and his presence will be missed. I pray for strength and comfort for his family during this time of grief.
Dan & Margaret Kollay
September 21, 2013
Please know our sorrow for your loss and that you are in our thoughts and prayers. May the special things about Mike lift your spirits and remain in your heart forever.
September 21, 2013
I am so sorry for the loss of your loved one. Please find peace and comfort in Psalms 65:2.
Harvey & Marion Allison
September 20, 2013
May God help you heal in this most difficult time. Our family has your family in our thoughts and prayers. We can't physically be with you in your time of need but please know we are truly sorry for your loss.
With Love, Harvey & Marion Allison & Family
J P
September 20, 2013
"What we have once enjoyed, we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes part of us." -Helen Keller
Michael was a great mentor to all of us. His simple and caring ways that made everyone feel comfortable, will always be remembered.
Rick Myers
September 20, 2013
While it has probably been 40 years or more since we saw each other, seeing Mike's photo brought back the memories of when we grew up. I always figured him to become an Air Force man with his interest in flying, but he served our country nobly as a Navy man, and did very well. My sincere condolences to the Arnold family in Michigan and Virginia, and here's to a life well-lived by a good guy who grew up to be a fine patriot.
Rick Myers, Colorado Springs (originally Rochester, MI)
Gloria Healy (Proffer)
September 20, 2013
Prayers of peace & comfort for Mikes's family & friends. Mike was a neighborhood friend & classmate from kindergarden -High school Grads! I remember him as kind, soft spoken & intelligent! He will be greatly missed!
September 20, 2013
Michael was an amazing man and he will be missed by many. My sympathies and prayers are with you.
Linda Harkness
Ann Marie Rea
September 20, 2013
Your family is in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. May he rest in peace.
Bratt and Family
September 20, 2013
My condolences to the Arnold family for the loss of Michael Arnold. May you find comfort in knowing that God made hope for the dead possible by sending his son to die for us. My prayer is that you find inner peace as you reflect upon the many happy times that you shared with him.
September 20, 2013
Heartfelt sympathy to the Arnold family in this time of loss. May God hold you in his arms.
Cora Allen, Pascagoula, MS
Judy Garcia
September 20, 2013
Please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss. Your family is in my prayers .May God be with you , may his word be a source of comfort in your times of distress.May you feel his loving arms embrace you .Ps.145:18, 19
Sheryl Williams
September 20, 2013
May the thoughts and prayers of all who knew Michael bring you comfort at this time of sorrow. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Cheryl Chudy
September 20, 2013
Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.
September 20, 2013
My sincere condolences to you and your family in such a heartbreaking time. May Michael rest in peace in the hands of God. With deepest sympathy.
Jenny Crescentini, Rochester, MI
Mary Upton
September 20, 2013
Words cannot express my sympathy for Michael's family and friends. May you all have God's comfort and love in the days ahead.
Ambassador Paul and Renee Speltz
September 19, 2013
May peace be with you Michael and know that we will support Jolanda and your sons as time now goes forward.
Kellie Conner
September 19, 2013
We love you and are here for you. We are keeping your family in our thoughts, our hearts break for you.Love The Conner Family
Bob, Becky & Hannah Donnelly
September 19, 2013
Sincere condolences to your families. Your son and brother's service to this country are greatly appreciated.
DStallings
September 19, 2013
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
P Terry
September 18, 2013
Please accept my deepest sympathies, to such a tragic end to life. May the God of the Bible comfort the family. May he rest until God says awaken from sleep.
Thomas and Alline Venti
September 18, 2013
Mike was a patriot and a wonderful family man. My husband knew him years ago when his position in Philadephia required that he travel to Washington. He said he was a kind, quiet, very capable and an asset to NAVSEA. God Bless his family and may he rest in the arms of the angels.
Desiree
September 18, 2013
With deepest sympathy, may God be your refuge during this sad time.
September 18, 2013
My sincere condolences to the Arnold family for your loss. During this time of grief, may the God of all comfort be with your family. Isaiah 61:2
Lin
Scott Chamberland
September 18, 2013
Please accept my Deepest Sympathies
Maryellen
September 17, 2013
My sincerest sympathies for the family and friends of Michael Arnold. May he R.I.P.
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