Lee Arnold

M. Lee Arnold, born December 22, 1927, Earlsboro, OK; died February 13, 2017, Florissant, MO. He was 89 years old. Lee was the second son of Kathryn P. Smalley and Dillon Harvie Arnold. Dillon died in an oilfield accident in 1930. Kathryn remarried when Lee was six to Charles Marks. this is the man Lee knew as his dad. His older brother was Harvie J. Arnold, who was a pilot, killed-in-action over Baguer-Morvan, France during the first week of the D-Day Invasion in 1944. Lee graduated from Central High School in Oklahoma City, OK in 1945, then served as a Midshipman in the US Navy from May 15, 1946 until he was honorably discharged on July 23, 1948. His training occurred in Ottumwa, IA and he was subsequently stationed at Pensacola, FL. He earned his private pilot’s license at the age of 15, but wasn’t able to receive it until he was 16 due to federal age regulations. During his high school years while the second World War was happening, he was a member of the Civil Air Patrol and flew spotter planes over the Gulf of Mexico at the time when German U-boats were off the coast. Lee graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. His specialty was in Aerospace Engineering. On July 1, 1950, he married his high school sweetheart, Nellie Lou Jordan, in Oklahoma City Oklahoma. She died on July 3 1989 in Florissant, MO. Throughout his career he worked for Bell Aircraft, Niagara Falls, NY; Comprehensive Designers (aircraft), Philadelphia, PA; LaSalle Engineering, Kansas City, MO; Consultants and Designers, Inc, New York City, NY; Industrial Service Co, N. Canton, OH; H.L. You Co, Los Angeles, CA; Executive Aircraft Mods, Arlington, TX; Sperry Utah Co, Salt Lake City, UT; Emerson Electric Co, St. Louis, MO; and McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Co, Mesa, AZ. He retired at the age of 70. His professional affiliations included the State Board of Professional Engineers in the states of Texas, Utah, and Missouri, Experimental Aircraft Association, the American Defense Preparatory Association, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, American Helicopter Association, Civil Air Patrol and the Boy Scouts of America, and a member of Delta Chi Fraternity. The couple had four children; Judy (Paul) Harrison of Bangor, ME; Jayna (Rev. Ted) Marrinan of Taylorville, IL, Jordana Arnold (Brian Clark) of Lawrence, KS; and John (Jo’Elle Dondeville) Arnold of Dripping Springs, TX. Grandchildren include; Geoffrey, Caitlin and Padraic Harrison; Tracy Lee Sievers, Toni Pieper; Grace and Phoebe Clark; and Emeline, Azaria and Ardreaux Arnold. Great grandchildren include: Ainsley, Arabella and Asher Sievers; and Emma, Lilah, Alexa and Clara Pieper. Lee was a lifelong aircraft enthusiast, both in his professional and private life. He always had a project in the building stage; and built a number of planes either for himself or in conjunction with friends. He regularly attended the annual EAA Fly-in/Convention in Oshkosh, WI where he attended workshops and seminars, and occasionally displayed one of his airplanes. Graveside services will be Wednesday, April 26, 2017, 1:00 p.m. at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery with full Military Honors. A memorial service will be held at Delmar Villas North, 4505 Parker Rd, Florissant, MO 63033 on Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at 10:00 a.m.

Lee Arnold

December 22, 1927 - February 13, 2017