Joseph Arnold

1937 - 2025

Joseph Elliott Arnold, Lt. Col. U.S. Army Retired, 88, formerly of Prince George, Virgina, passed away on Sunday, December 14, 2025. He was a resident of Bellaire at Stone Port in Harrisonburg.

Born on August 17, 1937, in Moline, Illinois, Joseph was the son of the late Herman Ellsworth Arnold and Carolyn Wenholz Arnold Bertram Thordsen.

Joseph was raised in Iowa and graduated from Bettendorf High School. He attended Tarkio College in Missouri and completed a bachelor's degree at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. Joseph proudly served in the United States Army for over 20 years and retired as a decorated Lieutenant Colonel. During that time he completed a master's degree at Appalachian State University and helped establish the ROTC program there. His career would take him around the world to places such as Korea, Vietnam, Fort Bragg and Boone, North Carolina, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, Germany, and Fort Lee, Virginia where he ultimately retired. Following retirement from active duty, Joseph was employed by the Department of the Army for an additional 20 years. A faithful Christian, Joseph was a long-standing member of Woodlawn Presbyterian Church and was presented with the honor of Elder Emeritus, and most recently was a member of Massanutten Presbyterian Church. He was also a member of Gideons International for many years.

On December 22, 1962, he married the love of his life, the former Ann Elizabeth McKay. She preceded him in death on July 31, 2023.

Surviving are his daughter, Jan Arnold (Hunter Davis) of Port Republic; daughter-in-law, Mary Elizabeth Arnold of Chester, Virginia; grandchildren, Logan Arnold Davis, Kelsey Ann Arnold Davis, and Ian James Arnold Davis; step-grandson, Allan Paul Lewis; step great-grandchildren, Daniel Ryan Lewis, Matthew James Lewis and Addison Marie Lewis, as well as many extended family members. Also surviving is his dear friend and loving companion, Nancy Spencer.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his step-father, Earl Carter Bertram; his son, Joseph James "Jamie" Arnold; sisters, Nadine Sue Palmer and Nancy Yvonne Pike; and a step grandson, Daniel William Lewis.

Special thanks to Bellaire at Stone Port, Sunnyside Healthcare, and Legacy Hospice for the compassionate, loving care provided to Joseph.

A funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, December 19, 2025, at Kyger Funeral Home in Harrisonburg with the Reverend Keith Phillips and the Reverend Jeff Butler officiating. Interment will follow at Eastlawn Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions can be made in Joseph's memory to Massanutten Presbyterian Church, https://secure.myvanco.com/YNGE/home or Woodlawn Presbyterian Church, 1201 Blackstone Avenue, Hopewell, VA 23860.

Condolences may be shared at kygers.com.