George Edward Arnold

George Edward Arnold of Rockwall, Texas went to be with his beloved Savior on January 23, 2025. 

 Our dad was born in Dallas, Texas on June 24, 1937. He and our fun-loving mom, Ruthie fell in love while in high school, growing up in Sweetwater, Texas. 

 They married on January 21, 1956. Their 68th anniversary happened just two days before our dad flew home to Jesus.

 George and his grandson Zeke - who’d driven from Colorado to be with his grandpa, spent that last day watching his grandparents’ favorite miniseries, Lonesome Dove, together. Our Dad told Zeke that his favorite scene was when the rough-but-tenderhearted cowboy Gus was dying. He looked up at his buddy and said, “It’s been quite a party, Woodrow.” 

 Ruthie and George would often say this line to each other after a satisfying day, or write the line in their anniversary cards, more and more as the years passed. 

 Dad loved the popular Dean Martin song, “Memories are Made of This,” and the line about adding “three little kids for the flavor.” Rebecca, David and Rachel were born between 1959 and 1964, and their nest was complete. 

 George and Ruthie loved and sought after Jesus in deeply personal ways. They were highly relational and fostered many friendships and hosted gatherings in their home. There was always much laughter, witty banter, dancing, singing, and flirting shared between them. 

 George’s careers spanned seasons at LTV-Vought, Bell Helicopter-Textron, Registrar at CBN University in Virginia Beach, VA. He was an engineering consultant for a developer in later years. During his time at Bell Helicopter he traveled to Europe, Korea, and Australia –and would take Ruthie whenever possible, a dream for a girl from small town West Texas. 

 When Ruthie passed away in 2018, it was a time of deep grief. Through God’s great kindness a sweet friendship formed with the lovely Lou Ann McNeely who attended the same church. That friendship began to blossom into love.

 Dad enjoyed taking Lou Ann on day trips to explore the beauty of his beloved state of Texas in bloom. They also took road trips to see his kids in Colorado and Arizona, and one special trip to see her family in Pennsylvania and show her his beloved Shenandoah Mountains. They loved watching Texas Ranger games and inspiring movies and watching children at Chick-fil-A playlands. Lou Ann’s family welcomed our Dad and added much joy to his life.

 George was passionate about music—from country songs to hymns, and genres in between. He loved to sing, and many would comment on his beautiful voice. Our mother would say, “He has the voice of an Angel.” 

 One of his happiest places was always on the golf course where always he gave his sons-in-law Greg and Scott a run for their money. He golfed well into his 87th year. 

George is survived by his grateful children Becky Johnson, David Arnold, and Rachel St. John-Gilbert, and his adoring grandchildren: Zachary Freeman, Zeke Freeman, Rachel Praise Randolph, Gabriel Freeman, Tyler Arnold, Trevor St. John-Gilbert, Tori St. John-Gilbert, and Whitney Gage. Great grandchildren include: George Freeman, Titus and Nate Freeman, Jackson Corabelle, and Hazel Randolph. 

 We will miss our beloved patriarch, but the memories, phone calls, laughter, stories, hugs and prayers he gave us will last our lifetimes. 

 Every time his family and friends think of our Dad, George, it will be with a smile, thanking God for the privilege of his love, his wisdom and his laughter. 

 Indeed, “It’s been quite a party, Woodrow.” 

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday,  March 29 at Christ Church Rockwall, 701 Kensington Dr, Rockwall, TX 75032