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Thomas N. Arnett Jr.

1947 - 2023

Thomas N. Arnett Jr. obituary, 1947-2023, Salt Lake City, UT

BORN

1947

DIED

2023

Thomas Arnett Obituary

Thomas N. Arnett, Jr.

1947 - 2023

Salt Lake City, UT-Thomas N. Arnett, Jr. died in his sleep at his home in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was born on January 3, 1947, in Newport News, Virginia to Col. Thomas N. (USAF) and Janet Porter Arnett.

He graduated from Radford High School, Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1965, where he served as Student Body Vice President and was voted "Most Likely to Succeed" by his senior class. He graduated from the University of Utah in 1969 (GO UTES!) and the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law in 1976. Somehow, during these years, he also learned to fly an airplane, worked on a pipeline crew in the Mojave Desert, and served as a Red Cross Water Safety Instructor.

Tom joined Phi Delta Theta Fraternity at the U, where he made lifelong friendships, and served as Chapter Vice President. From 1981 to 1992 he served as Chapter Advisor and was named International Chapter Advisor of the Year in 1986 and Utah Alpha Edward J. Whitney Alumnus of the Year in 1993.

Tom married Gail Burkett on November 9, 1974, later divorced.

He practiced law for 15 years before being appointed a Commissioner in the Third District Court in 1991, where he served until his retirement in 2013. He was a member of the Utah State Bar, the Salt Lake County Bar, and was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court. He served as a Bar Examiner for 10 years and as Chair of both the Family Law Section and the Courts and Judges Committee of the Bar. He was a member of the Utah Supreme Court's Advisory Committee on the Rules of Professional Conduct and the Utah Judicial Council Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee. He was a Certified Judicial Instructor and spoke frequently to various groups.

He was a long distance runner, a member of the Canyonlands Half Marathon 10-Year Club and looked forward to the St. George Marathon each year, completing it 9 times. He finished every race he started. Tom enjoyed camping, backpacking, traveling the United States and Europe, reading, the Utah Symphony and art museums.

Tom loved his 1914 home next to the U. Campus. He built his own library (with a secret door). Until advancing age slowed him down, he was constantly renovating his home. He is survived by his brother Jeffrey, Jeff's wife Patti, and their daughter Miranda.

Rather than some drivel about an afterlife, which Tom did not believe in, he preferred a thought from Arthur C. Clarke: Either we are alone in the universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying."

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Salt Lake Tribune, The Salt Lake Tribune from Oct. 20 to Oct. 24, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Arnett

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Jeff Arnett

December 19, 2024

A young Tom with sidekick before his alternative Christmas tree conversion. Yes, a little AI conversion as well.

Heather Christiansen

December 18, 2024

Merry Christmas to the Arnett family.
I miss Tom Arnett's Christmas-alternative tree he constructed each Christmas season at the Matheson Courthouse.
Brooke Ollis is sure to remember the pilgrimage invitation each year!
Those who truly knew Tom, loved him.

Magdalena Martinez Alvarado

November 13, 2024

I was one of Commissioner's Arnett's Clerk at the Third District Court. It's sad to find out of his passing. It was a pleasure working with him. I have nothing but great memories. May God bless him. R.I.P.

Sharon Records Hooper

August 28, 2024

Tom and I were high school classmates in Hawaii. We ended up dating through our Senior year and 1st year of college. We kept in touch with each other until the fall of 2023. Needless to say, I was shocked to hear of his passing. He was a very close friend and may his family find peace in his passing.

Jeff Arnett

December 4, 2023

Tom's ashes joined our mother's in the wide blue Pacific today. I also left a handful of his ashes on our father's tombstone in the beautiful National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Punch Bowl Crater. Finally, I saved some of Tom's ashes to leave on a favored running trail in Santa Cruz to honor his dedication as a runner. He will be missed.

Heather Christiansen

November 7, 2023

Tom was a wonderful person and my dear friend in this world. Now that he has passed, I wish for him the purest of joy in Jesus. Now he believes.

M Kearns

October 30, 2023

I, too, was Tom´s secretary in the mid-80s. He was a teacher and always willing to share anything I wanted to learn. He was passionate about whatever he was involved in. He was such an active inspirational Chapter Advisor for his fraternity and the young men. He was fun to work for. He came to our wedding even years after I had left and then returned to Salt Lake. Thanks, Tom, for being my boss, my mentor, a friend. Is there a memorial to pay respects?

Jeff Arnett

October 29, 2023

Tom was my brother through thick and thin. Always a wise counsel and a devoted uncle to my daughter. We ran three marathons together, Bay to Breakers and the Wharf to Wharf here in Santa Cruz. His grit in running personified his grit in life. RIP, Tom.

Jeff Arnett

October 29, 2023

Tom was my brother through thick and thin. Always a wise counsel and a devoted uncle to my daughter. We ran three marathons together, Bay to Breakers and the Wharf to Wharf here in Santa Cruz. His grit in running personified his grit in life. RIP, Tom.

Velvet Rodriguez

October 27, 2023

Commissioner Arnett was a great connoisseur of English literature and knew quotes off the cuff. He was always kind and polite to me as a new attorney mediator and you could tell he was a very smart person. May he rest in peace.

Kristine Wimmer Berg

October 27, 2023

What can I say. I was Tom's secretary prior to him becoming a Commissioner and have remained friends for over 40 years - up to the end. I will miss him and his quirky ways and wish him well on his new journey, whatever that may be.

Brooke Ollis

October 23, 2023

I knew Commissioner Arnett when I worked at Third District Court and Utah Supreme Court. He was a very kind person. I sure enjoyed the unique Christmas Trees in his chambers each year. I still have one of the unique ornaments he gave me one year from the tree. 'A flying pig on a white pvc pipe tree.'
During lunch time, Sophie and I would see him running downtown. Then, health issues got in the way for him to continue to run. But, he never gave up and was back running more St George Marathons. He said he would prove the doctors wrong.

Royal Hansen

October 23, 2023

Tom was a talented Commissioner with the Third District Court and a valued colleague and friend of all those who had the privilege of working with him. We will miss Commissioner Arnett and extend our condolences to his family, as you mourn his passing. Judge Royal Hansen

Matt Ward

October 23, 2023

I worked at Third District Court when Commissioner Arnett was on the bench. He was kind enough to share his courtroom with the clerks holding one of the civil law and motion calendars. He also officiated my wedding in that same courtroom in 2010. I'll always remember him fondly.

Sophie Orvin

October 23, 2023

I worked with Comm. Arnett at Third District Court in Domestic Court. He was very devoted to his work, and was an asset to the Court. He loved running and my husband and I got to see him run. I wish his family peace and strength during this sad time. May his memory be eternal!

Denise Lindberg

October 23, 2023

Tom probably was the first person to welcome me to the court. He was always generous with his time, listening to a novice judge and, in the process, helping me clarify the issues I had to decide in family cases. His non-Christmas tree was legendary. I will miss him. My condolences to his family members.

Thomas N Thompson

October 21, 2023

Tom was a remarkably capable lawyer, and served ably during his time as a Court Commissioner. He'll be much missed.

Al Saibini, Nevada Alpha '76

October 20, 2023

In coelo quies est.

Kathleen Patience

October 19, 2023

“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened”!

Tom Worl

October 19, 2023

It was an honor and a privilege to know Tom Arnett. I was his Court bailiff for the entire duration he served as a domestic relations Commissioner in the 3rd District Court. He was a kind and generous man to me and my family. He will be missed.
Sincerely Tom World

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