Jeffrey "Jeff" Arrowood

Jeffrey (Jeff) Arrowood, age 58, died peacefully in Colorado Springs, Colorado on September 6, 2024, surrounded by his Colorado-family and friends following a three-year battle with gastric cancer. He was a beloved husband, son, brother, grandfather, and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Jeff was born on September 29, 1965, in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Fort Walton remained his hometown throughout his lifelong residency in Florida. He attended Fort Walton Beach High School and went on to graduate from the Pensacola Jr. College Police Academy in 1984. Jeff was employed as a Deputy Sheriff at the Okaloosa Sheriff's Department from 1984 to 1989, and then as the Chief of Police for the City of Mary Esther from 1990 to 1995. He continued his pursuit of higher education at Troy State University earning a bachelor's degree in criminal justice in 1994. With a lifetime goal of becoming an attorney, Jeff graduated Nova Southeastern University, Sheperd Broad Law Center, with his Juris Doctor in 1998.
Jeff's career in law began as an Assistant Public Defender in Shalimar, Florida from 1998 to 2000. He continued his career progression as an Assistant State Attorney in Tallahassee, Florida from 2000 to 2002. When he became tired of 'working for the man', Jeff became the Owner/Lead Attorney for Arrowood Law Firm where he served his clients faithfully from 2002 right up to his death in 2024. He was known for his hard work (driving up and down the highways of Florida weekly), dedication to his clients (he worked even while managing the challenges of his health), and passion for helping others no matter what they needed.
Jeff's biggest passions were for his wife (reunited high school sweethearts), his two adorable dachshunds (Mollie & Knuckles), fast cars, firearms, fishing, cruises, traveling the world, animal rescues, and visiting Florida's theme parks. Despite all the ups and downs of his cancer treatments the last three years, he made everyday count and traveled to eight countries and sixteen US states. He was also thrilled to attend concerts by Jimmy Buffet, James Taylor, and Elton John. Another daily passion was Facebook. He was always eager to share inspiration, encouragement, history lessons, product reviews, his travels, and, of course, his successes as an attorney. His daily, inspirational posts were well-known and always ended with the charge, "Be happy my friend. Now get out there and change the world!"
He is survived by his devoted wife, Erin Peterson, grandson, Riley Nagy, mother, Donna (Pope) Smith, brother, Thomas Smith, sister, Jennifer (Dwayne) Larimore, nephew, Brendon, and niece, Kristiana Larimore.
Preceding him in death and welcoming him to heaven include his daughter (Alishia Arrowood), father (Jerry Arrowood), and grandparents (Frank "Papa Frank" and Hazel Arrowood).
Without question, our worlds have been changed for the better by having Jeff in our lives. He is now God's angel, perfectly whole, and no longer knows pain. We will see him again, made new, happy, incessantly smiling, and eating anything/everything he wants. He is just a happy memory away and a permanent part of our hearts. As he would always say, "I love you my friend!" and he meant it.
Come join his family and friends in a celebration of "A Life Well Lived" at 2:00 PM on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at Emerald Coast Funeral Home. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Jeff's memory may be directed to The Rescued Rescuers: Dachshunds and Friends of the Emerald Coast; www.TheRescuedRescuers.org.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Jeffrey "Jeff" Arrowood, please visit our floral store.