Benjie "Coach" Arnold

1946 - 2023

Benjie Ontjes Arnold, 76, passed away on February 14, 2023, in The Woodlands, Texas. He was born on September 29, 1946 in Los Angeles, California.

He and his sister, Drenay, grew up in the Tipton Children's Home in Tipton, Oklahoma from 1955-1964, before being adopted by their loving parents, Paul and Doris Arnold.

Benjie graduated from Tipton High School and attended Cameron Jr. College in Lawton, Oklahoma on a football scholarship where he played in the Jr. Rose Bowl. Benjie then continued his education & football career at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, Oklahoma where he earned his Masters in Education.

Coach Arnold was a devoted high school teacher for 52 years in the public school system. He loved coaching football and sharing his knowledge as a former collegiate athlete. His sociology classroom was his sanctuary where he made sure all students felt they belonged. At the age of 76, he never retired and took pride in going to work each and every day. Coach Arnold was someone you could count on day or night and enjoyed supporting his students in all their extracurricular activities.

Benjie loved the USA and all the men and women that serve our country. He whole-heartedly supported the Wounded Warrior Project. In lieu of flowers for the Memorial, we ask donations be made to this organization he loved so much.

Coach Arnold was not only a dedicated educator, but a loving husband, father, brother and friend. Building relationships with those around him was most important to him. Everyone else came first to this selfless man.

Benjie is preceded in death by Paul Arnold, Sr. and Paul Arnold, Jr. He leaves behind his loving wife, Wandah Arnold; his mother, Doris Arnold; children, Kyle Lorn Arnold, Kristy Benay Sullivan, and son-in-law JD Sullivan; grandchildren, Jackson Dade Sullivan, Jace Douglas Sullivan, Lexi Rae Arnold, and Olivia Lorne Arnold; siblings, Drenay Bain and husband Ron Bain, Maggie Wallace, Ruth Startz and husband Steve, the late Paul Arnold, Jr. and wife, Sherry; step-children, Jana Alexander, Andy Jackson, Paulette Meaney and husband Martin Meaney; step-grandchildren, Jonathon Meaney, Trevor Meaney and wife Andi Wallace Meaney, Cameron Meaney, Colton Jackson, Courtney Jackson, Kaylea Alexander, Lanie Kelley and husband Tanner Kelley, Matthew Duren, and Dillon Duren; step-great grandchildren, Miles Duren, Oliver Alexander, Kinsley Gibbons, and Millie Faye Kelley.

A Memorial service will be held at 9:30am on Saturday, March 25th at the Klein Independent School District Multipurpose Event Center in Klein, Texas. All that loved him are welcome to join his family in celebrating the life that touched so many. For directions or to view/sign his online guestbook please visit www.eickenhorstfuneral.com.