John Matthews Arnold

1935 - 2024

Lt. Col. (Ret.) John Matthews Arnold

January 15, 1935 - March 13, 2024

Clayton, North Carolina - John Matthews Arnold, 89, born January 15, 1935 to the late Orvid and Nina Arnold, died peacefully in his home in Clayton on Wednesday, March 13, 2024.

John was born in the Chalybeate Springs community on his family's farm in Harnett County, NC. He graduated from Harnett County High School in 1953 where he was honored as class valedictorian. He attended Wake Forest College and graduated with a degree in Math and Physics.

After college, John enlisted in the United States Army, rapidly becoming an accomplished aviator, and eventually serving as a trainer for observation units flying the Cessna L-19A Bird Dog. He retired from the Army in 1977 with the rank of Lt. Colonel.

John's last tour of military duty was in the country of Turkey with Military Intelligence. Because of his exceptional leadership in a volatile area of the world, he was awarded the Merit of Legion by the President in 1977. This coveted award reads as follows: "From 20 August 1976 to 31 August 1977, he was faced with the monumental task of maintaining troop morale in a politically charged atmosphere of tension and mistrust brought about by current US/Turkish relations. By applying a common sense approach in the solution of numerous problems, he averted potential incidents which could have affected our tenuous presence in that part of the world. Colonel Arnold's distinguished performance of duty throughout this period represents outstanding accomplishment in the most cherished traditions of the United States Army and reflects utmost credit upon himself and the military service."

Upon retirement John moved back to Raleigh to live on a family farm in northern Wake County. John grew to love farming, extolling its virtues and how it put him in harmony with the rhythms of nature and God. His favorite crop was alfalfa. John was an accomplished angler who loved to travel often with friends to fish on the North Carolina outer banks.

John was a faithful member of Hayes Barton Baptist Church in Raleigh where he sung in the choir for over 34 years. John loved to sing ever since his boyhood life in the Chalybeate Springs Baptist Church. He was also a member of the Raleigh Master Chorale. Even in his final days, he found comfort listening to the music on his beloved WCPE classical radio station.

As John's health declined over the past three months, he would often share with loved ones that he was now in the loving hands of the Great Physician. He was grateful for all that he had experienced and shared in life and that he was ready to hear the choirs of Heaven. John was well-read in biblical studies and a man of enduring Christian faith.

John was deeply loved by his wife, Judy. He peacefully passed at her side, often saying he will be joyful meeting the Band of Angels.

John is survived by his wife, Judy Parker Arnold; a step-son, Carl Allen and wife, Aimee of Wake Forest, NC; two step-grandchildren, Stewart and Annie Allen; a granddaughter, Lindsay Arnold and husband, Dr. Ian Staten of Apex, NC; an aunt, Helen Walton of Fuquay Varina, NC; a cousin, Martha Padgett and husband, Rickey of Fuquay Varina.

A Funeral Service to Celebrate the Life of John Arnold will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at Hayes Barton Baptist Church, 1800 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh. The family will receive friends at the church following the service. John will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

The family requests that memorials be made to WCPE classical radio station in Wake Forest, PO Box 828, Wake Forest, NC 27588. (https://theclassicalstation.org/choose-donation/)

Services provided by Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh.