Michael Arnold

1946 - 2025

Michael Arnold passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack on July 23, 2025, at the age of 78. He was born in Wetumka, Oklahoma to Earl and Frances Arnold. His family moved to California when he was two years old. Growing up in the Bay Area he quickly excelled in sports and academics. He was an all-star athlete in high school playing both football and basketball in addition to being voted student body president.

He attended UCLA on an academic football scholarship and was a proud member of the 1965 Bruin football team, the first to earn a victory in the Rose Bowl. He graduated from UCLA with a Political Science degree and a minor in mathematics. He continued at UCLA to earn a Master's of Public Administration. He also held a standard secondary teaching credential and a Community College teaching credential.

Michael moved to Sacramento in 1971 to start working as a lobbyist for the League of California Cities. He spent eight years with CalCities and three years with the California Medical Association prior to opening his own firm Arnold and Associates in 1982. Michael was proud to have his daughter Kristi Arnold Foy join the company in 1994 and was pleased to transition leadership of the firm to her as President last year. For more than 40 years Arnold and Associates has represented healthcare clients, local governments, water agencies, and many other entities. It is truly a family business with Michael's daughter-in-law Eileen Arnold working there for almost 30 years and his son-in-law Patrick Foy joining the firm last year as a lobbyist.

Throughout his life Michael had a passion for the outdoors. He was a Boy Scout and loved hiking and backpacking throughout the state. He especially enjoyed hunting and fishing trips with his son Brian Arnold and Patrick. Most people know he was a lifetime fisherman, hunter, and outdoors person and that Brian and Patrick are retired game wardens. His granddaughter Kennedy is engaged to a game warden. Michael was a longtime CalTIP Board Member - the organization that allows people to turn in poachers and polluters to allow game wardens to investigate the potential crimes. CalTIP is supported by the California Wildlife Officers Foundation (CalWOF).

Despite his passion for all things outdoors, his favorite night of the year was the father-daughter dinner dance. His first one was with Kristi at St. Francis High School in 1983, to recent years at the Sutter Club with Kristi, Brian's wife Eileen, and all four granddaughters. He never missed a single year.

Michael is survived by his son Brian (Eileen) Arnold, daughter Kristi (Patrick) Foy, former wife Deborah Arnold, and his four granddaughters Megan Foy (Sam Lewis), Kennedy Arnold (Braden Baxter), Bridget Foy, and Madison Arnold. Also by his sister Betty James and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on September 13 at 2:00 p.m. in Sacramento. For more detailed information about the service, please contact Arnold and Associates.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to CalWOF (https://calwof.org/) in his honor.