Sam Arnold Jr.

B: April 3, 1927
D: June 6, 2010

Sam Arnold Jr., age 83 of Lexington, passed away Sunday June 6, 2010 at the Norman Regional Hospital. Sam was born April 3, 1927 in Lexington, the oldest of 3 children born to Samuel Arnold Sr. and Gladys Effie (Owens) Arnold. He grew up on the family farm and attended Willowview School for the first eight years then graduating from Lexington High School in 1944.

Two years later, he was drafted into the United States Army and served his country proudly during W.W. II. He returned home to Lexington and married his true love and high school sweetheart, Miss Berniece Wilson. They were married in the First Baptist Church in Lexington on November 29, 1947. They made their home in Lexington where together they raised 3 sons, Kieran, Randy and Max. Sam began farming and later began working for the Sante Fe Railroad in the early 1950’s. He retired as a switchman after more than 35 years of dedicated service on the railroad. Sam’s favorite hobbies were gardening and woodworking. He was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church in Lexington where he sang in the Senior Adult Choir. He was a devoted husband and father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and friend who loved traveling and especially looked forward to hunting in Colorado with his dad, brother and sons.

He was preceded in death by: His parents, Sam and Gladys Arnold and His sister, Gladys Lawana Arnold.

He is survived by: His wife, Berniece Arnold of the home; three sons, Kieran Dale Arnold and wife Mona of Africa, Randy Arnold and wife Lynda of Denver, CO and Max Arnold and wife Jane of Nashville, TN; His brother, Don Arnold and wife Bonnie of Lexington; nine grandchildren, three great grandchildren and one on the way; Aunt, Peggy Owens, Nephew, Danny Arnold and his family and many other family and friends.

Funeral Services are scheduled for 10:00 A.M. Thursday June 10, 2010 at the First Baptist Church in Lexington with Rev. Rusty Canoy officiating. Pallbearers will be Neal Arnold, Coby Neal, Larry Hosek, Danny Arnold, Kyle Hudspeth and Mark Hudspeth. Honorary Bearers will be his Sunday School Class. Burial will follow at the Lexington Cemetery. Arrangements by Wilson-Little, Purcell.