Delano Arnold

Doffel "Delano" Arnold, 88, of Akron, Colorado, passed away peacefully on October 10, 2025, surrounded by his loving family after a battle with health issues.

Delano was born on November 3, 1936, in Devol, Oklahoma, to Clyde and Alta (Dillon) Arnold. He was the fourth of nine children-eight boys and one girl. After graduating from Waurika High School in 1955, Delano attended Murray State College, where he played college football, then continued his education at Panhandle A&M and Oklahoma State University. He earned multiple degrees, including a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Oklahoma State University in 1961.

While in college, Delano met the love of his life, Clorene "Clo" Clausson Jones, and the two were married on May 29, 1959. Delano was working with his father-in-law on an oil well in Shattuck, Oklahoma, when the couple welcomed their first son, Rodney Delano, in March 1960. A year later, they moved to Elida, New Mexico, where Delano began his career as a high school agriculture teacher. A few months later their second son, Randy Lee, was born in November 1961. Ever dedicated to learning, Delano continued his own education through night and summer classes at Eastern New Mexico University and New Mexico State University.

In 1970, Delano became principal of Akron Grade School, and his family moved to Akron, Colorado where they made their lifelong home. He later served as high school principal and eventually as superintendent. He continued his education at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, commuting at night to earn his Education Specialist degree. Delano and his sons also built the family's home by hand, completing it in 1977. After more than three decades in education, Delano retired in 1994.

Retirement didn't slow him down-he worked alongside his son Randy as an electrician before joining Randy and Lori at Akron Hardware when they purchased the business in 2001. There, Delano became a familiar face as the go-to repairman and appliance delivery man. He and Clo also spent several years raising emus and ostriches together, processing them for food and oil.

Delano was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Alta Arnold, and siblings Lorene Richardson, Leon, Derrell Wayne, Wendell Ray, Eugene, and Jerry. He is survived by his devoted wife of 66 years, Clo Arnold; sons Rod Arnold (Pamela Crowell) and Randy (Lori) Arnold; grandchildren Jeffery Delano (Jessica) Arnold, Kristen (Derek) Blomquist, Chelsea (Wyatt) Harman, and Katie Clo (Tristan) Sullivan; great-grandchildren Brielle Blomquist and Macie Clo Harman; and brothers Raymond Arnold and Eddie (Janet) Arnold.

Education was Delano's lifelong passion-both teaching others and continuing to learn himself. He was an expert domino player, a sharp strategic thinker, and a man known for his quiet wisdom and quick wit. When Delano spoke, people listened. He was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Akron, where he personally wired the new church parsonage. He was also active in the Rotary Club and enjoyed sports, golf, gardening, and spending time with his grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, October 17, 2025, at the First Baptist Church in Akron, Colorado. A private family interment will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Akron or Akron High School.